Walter's Wiggles

Walter's Wiggles is the famous set of 21 tight switchbacks carved into the sandstone near the top of the West Rim Trail, built in 1926 under Zion's first superintendent, Walter Ruesch, to get the trail up an otherwise impassable stretch of cliff. It's the last push before Scout Lookout, the saddle where most hikers pause before deciding whether to continue onto Angels Landing.

Know before you go

• A permit is required 24/7 for anyone continuing past Scout Lookout onto the chained Angels Landing section — apply through the seasonal or day-before lottery on recreation.gov
• The trailhead is reached only via the Zion Canyon shuttle from the Grotto stop; private vehicles can't drive to it for most of the year
• The switchbacks themselves are exposed and busy — expect crowds and take breaks on the way up

Even without continuing to Angels Landing, the Wiggles are worth the effort for the views back down Zion Canyon from partway up.