21 switchbacks to glory
The West Rim Trail is a beautiful 16-mile point-to-point backpacking route from the Grotto to the Lava Point Campground. However, it’s also an important artery running through the park that connects to other exquisite trails and lookouts. One of them is the Scout Lookout, a relatively flat, sandy area located 5,330 feet above the canyon floor and the ending point of this hike.
This is one of the more challenging trails in the park. Starting from the Grotto, cross the Virgin River, then proceed towards the aptly named Refrigerator Canyon, quickly gaining elevation along the way. The canyon got its name from the cool breeze that blows through it, offering welcome respite to hikers and climbers.
Next up is the real crux of the hike. A rift on the east wall houses a sequence of twenty-one steep switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles, whose playful name belies their strenuousness. Often called a marvel of engineering, the zig-zagging Wiggles pick up a lot of elevation very quickly, leaving tired hikers at risk of falling, especially if they’re not used to such intensity.
At the top you’ll find an open area with a prominent sandstone slab—this is the Scout Lookout. Take a seat, enjoy the view of the road and Virgin River below or greet hikers coming back from Angels Landing, which sits just beyond this area.