A Texas man, Gilberto Ramos, 68, of Laredo, died after falling from the chained section of the Angels Landing trail at Utah’s Zion National Park on Friday (April 17). According to the National Park Service, the incident occurred around 2 p.m. when other hikers reported that a person had fallen from the narrow, high-elevation trail known for its steep drop-offs.
Park rangers, along with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement agencies, quickly responded and temporarily closed the Angels Landing and West Rim trails to carry out the rescue and recovery operation. The victim was found on the north side of Angels Landing in Zion Canyon near Big Bend. His remains were later transferred to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.
The Angels Landing trail is one of Zion National Park’s most visited and most dangerous routes, featuring a narrow ridge where hikers must grip chains for safety. The trail has seen at least 14 fatal falls since 2004, with this being the first fall-related death since the park began requiring permits for the hike in 2022. Last year, nearly five million people visited the park, and about 200,000 attempted Angels Landing.
The fatal fall happened during celebrations for the 100-year anniversary of the Zion National Park Lodge, a historic event that drew additional visitors to the area.
The Angels Landing trail has been closed again for scheduled maintenance until Thursday (April 24). The National Park Service and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.
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