Uploaded September 2016 | Updated September 2026, 23 minutes ago
A helicopter loaded with eight empty barrels delivers them to Scout Lookout in the fall of 2016. The barrels will be filled with waste from the evaporative toilets and removed later.
Each year, the Zion Trail Crew and Fire Management staff remove waste from the evaporative toilets at Scout Lookout. These toilets get heavy use that exceeds their engineered capacity. The operation to remove the waste requires the use of a helicopter, so safety precautions in the form of trail and road closures are put in place.
Normally, Angels Landing and the West Rim Trail are be closed between the West Rim / Kayenta Trail junction, and the Patio, just above Scout Lookout. Flaggers are stationed on the Scenic Drive, in the area of Big Bend, for periodic road closures during fly overs. All traffic, including shuttle buses are delayed during the two days of operations.
You can help reduce these closures if you use the restrooms before hiking at the Grotto Shuttle Stop.
A helicopter loaded with eight empty barrels delivers them to Scout Lookout in the fall of 2016. The barrels will be filled with waste from the evaporative toilets and removed later.
Each year, the Zion Trail Crew and Fire Management staff remove waste from the evaporative toilets at Scout Lookout. These toilets get heavy use that exceeds their engineered capacity. The operation to remove the waste requires the use of a helicopter, so safety precautions in the form of trail and road closures are put in place.
Normally, Angels Landing and the West Rim Trail are be closed between the West Rim / Kayenta Trail junction, and the Patio, just above Scout Lookout. Flaggers are stationed on the Scenic Drive, in the area of Big Bend, for periodic road closures during fly overs. All traffic, including shuttle buses are delayed during the two days of operations.
You can help reduce these closures if you use the restrooms before hiking at the Grotto Shuttle Stop.
