Los Angeles woman dies in Zion fall

A Los Angeles woman hiking with her family fell 1,000 feet to her death Sunday morning on the popular trail to Angel's Landing in Zion National Park.

Park officials have not released the name of the woman, pending notification of all family members.

The fall was reported about 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning by another hiker via cell phone. Park spokesman Ron Terry said Sunday afternoon it is believed the woman, in her 40s, stumbled on a narrow portion of the trail above a sheer drop-off.

Terry said the trail is one of the most popular in the park and heavily traveled. While minor incidents are not uncommon, he said the last fatality in the area was in June, 2007.

A park search and rescue team was still working to recover the woman's body Sunday afternoon

The West Rim Trail from the Grotto to Scout Lookout will remain closed while National Park Service officials and officers from the Washington County Sheriff's department complete an investigation of the incident.

The 5-mile trail ascends almost 1,500 feet to a scenic overlook, with the last half-mile straddling a narrow sandstone ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides.

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