A Texas resident has been identified as the victim of a fatal fall from one of Zion National Park’s most renowned and demanding trails. The National Park Service announced on Monday that the deceased was 68-year-old Gilberto Ramos from Laredo.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. local time on Friday, April 17, in Utah. Park officials received distressing reports of a hiker who had fallen from the precarious, chained section of the Angels Landing trail. This popular route is notorious for its narrow ridges and steep drop-offs, attracting numerous adventurers each year.
Responding swiftly, park rangers and local law enforcement arrived at the scene, locating Ramos on the north side of Angels Landing in Zion Canyon, near Big Bend. Officials completed recovery operations by Friday evening, after which Ramos’s remains were transferred to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for further examination.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the state medical examiner, officially identified Ramos on Monday.
Immediately following the incident, authorities temporarily closed the West Rim Trail, including Scout Lookout and Angels Landing, to facilitate the response and recovery efforts.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, officials temporarily closed the West Rim Trail, including Scout Lookout and Angels Landing, during response and recovery efforts.
A hiker who died after falling from a chained off section of Angels Landing at Zion National Park was identified as 68-year-old Gilberto Ramos of Laredo, Texas. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
Angels Landing is closed from April 20 through April 23 for trail maintenance, according to NPS. No permits will be issued during those dates. The park said the day-before lottery will reopen April 23 for hikes scheduled April 24.
Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park has a narrow ridge line and a steep drop off. (Kayla Bartkowski)
While Angels Landing is closed, the broader West Rim Trail is currently open.
