West Rim to Scout Lookout

The climb to Scout Lookout is the workhorse section of West Rim Trail, and it's the one nearly everyone in Zion Canyon ends up doing whether they're headed to Angels Landing or just want the view without the chains. From the trailhead at The Grotto (shuttle stop 6), cross the road and the bridge to pick up the paved path, which stays mellow along the Virgin River before turning uphill in earnest. It's 1.9 miles one way with about 1,187 feet of elevation gain, and the National Park Service rates the grade steep enough to matter: a typical pitch near 13%, with sections hitting over 40%.

What to expect

• Paved switchbacks climb the canyon wall, easing briefly through the shaded gap of Refrigerator Canyon
• Walter's Wiggles, 21 tight switchbacks blasted into the sandstone, close out the climb
• Scout Lookout is a flat, sandy shelf with restrooms but no water — fill up at The Grotto first
• Watch for low overhangs (as tight as 7 feet of clearance) and uneven concrete steps

Scout Lookout itself is the turnaround for most hikers and the junction point for Angels Landing, which requires a permit through recreation.gov and isn't included in this section. Condors occasionally work the thermals along the cliffs here, so it's worth a scan upward before heading back down.