SPRINGDALE — The National Park Service is completing maintenance work on two trails in Zion National Park at Scout Lookout and the Watchman Trail. The park service regularly addresses needs that help make hiking better and protect the park’s landscapes, plants, animals and history.
“This work is very visible, but it’s a small part of the huge effort our trail crew makes every year to ensure visitors enjoy our more than 90 miles of hiking trails,” Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent, said in a press release. “Hiking is a great part of the Zion National Park experience, and this work will make sure it stays that way.”
Watchman Trail work
- Starts Monday, Feb. 7, and the trail is scheduled to be closed for about a week.
- Will improve stairs and the trail route.
- Involves a temporary trail closure.
Watchman Trail provides access to delicate desert ecosystems. Visitors who go there enjoy views of The Watchman, Bridge Mountain and West Temple Formations as well as views into Zion Canyon. The park service is completing work to add masonry stairways and improve the trail path.
Scout Lookout work
- Is scheduled on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
- Involves a temporary closure of Angels Landing and the West Rim Trail from The Grotto to Scout Lookout.
The Angels Landing formation, downstream of Moonlight Buttress will be closed to all climbing activity on Feb. 16. All climbing trips must be completed by Tuesday night, Feb. 15. The Big Bend Parking will be closed and must be vehicle-free the night of Feb. 15, and any vehicles parked there at 7 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 16 will be towed.
Scout Lookout is where the half-mile of trail with chains that leads to Angels Landing begins. This work will remove waste from the evaporative toilet that serves visitors. While the work is happening, visitors should expect to see a helicopter moving materials and waste between Scout Lookout and Big Bend.
Plan ahead and prepare for your hike by checking current conditions on the park website.
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