An angels landing fall on the popular trail in Zion National Park left a hiker dead after a reported slip around 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17, park officials said.
Park rangers and local law enforcement responded after visitors reported the fall, and rescue crews attempted a recovery, officials said, but the hiker died from injuries sustained in the incident.
Authorities later identified the victim as 68-year-old Gilberto Ramos of Laredo, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.
Ramos was found on the north side of Angels Landing in Zion Canyon near Big Bend, and recovery operations were completed the same day, with remains transferred to local authorities, agencies said.
The National Park Service and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the circumstances of the fall, park statements show, and responding teams included Zion National Park staff and local search and rescue units.
Trail Conditions Response And Safety Context
Officials temporarily closed the West Rim Trail, including Scout Lookout and Angels Landing, while emergency crews conducted the recovery, and the trails reopened the following day after crews cleared the scene, reports said.
Angels Landing’s final approach follows a narrow sandstone ridge with steep drop-offs, and UPI noted some sections have more than 1,000 feet of exposure in places.
The trail’s chained section, where the fall was reported, includes stretches less than three feet wide with chains installed to assist hikers, the National Park Service has said.
The park requires permits to access the Angels Landing trail because of safety concerns and heavy visitation, and park officials urged hikers to check conditions, use proper footwear and exercise caution on high-elevation trails, according to reports.
