North Guardian Angel in Zion National Park, UT

Hike North Guardian Angel Zion National Park, UT

Class 4 6.1 miles 1100 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Oct 5, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

North Guardian Angel GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

After doing South Guardian Angel a few weeks ago and seeing North Guardian Angel looming to the west, my excitement was so high that I don't know how I procrastinated this long. Follow the Easy Wildcat Canyon trail to the Northgate Peaks Trail to the end. Note the low saddle on the northeast side of North Guardian Angel, the only reasonable-looking ascent, which is where you'll scramble up. Head down on black volcanic rock on a fairly obvious trail that leads into a sandy wash. This wash spits you out pretty much at the base of the northeast saddle. Take Class 2 slabs to the saddle and then continue up Class 3 slabs and ledges until you reach the short, easy Class 4 section before the summit ridge. In general, if the highest point of the ridge feels too tough, keep west. The east side felt too exposed and there was always an easie way. Enjoy great views of the Kolob Terrace area of Zion National Park from the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
North Guardian Angel
7395 ft
675 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Follow the Wildcat Canyon Trail until it meets up with the Northgate Peaks Trail.
Follow the Wildcat Canyon Trail until it meets up with the Northgate Peaks Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Follow Northgate Peaks Trail (right). The Subway route goes left.
Follow Northgate Peaks Trail (right). The Subway route goes left.
Image 3 from gallery
North Guardian Angel ahead!
North Guardian Angel ahead!
North Guardian Angel on the right, Northgate Peak East on the left. Head for the low saddle on North Guardian Angel (its northeast ridge).
North Guardian Angel on the right, Northgate Peak East on the left. Head for the low saddle on North Guardian Angel (its northeast ridge).
The official Northgate Peaks Trail ends here. Head down on a use trail.
The official Northgate Peaks Trail ends here. Head down on a use trail.
Follow a wash that spits you out close to the base of the low saddle on the mountain's ridge.
Follow a wash that spits you out close to the base of the low saddle on the mountain's ridge.
Clear route ahead.
Clear route ahead.
Class 2 scramble.
Class 2 scramble.
Looking back toward the Northgate Peaks.
Looking back toward the Northgate Peaks.
Image 11 from gallery
Class 3 begins from the saddle.
Class 3 begins from the saddle.
Image 13 from gallery
Looking back down toward the saddle.
Looking back down toward the saddle.
Image 15 from gallery
Easy class 4 ahead.
Easy class 4 ahead.
Image 17 from gallery
Scouting. I recommend staying on the north side of the ridge, rather than the south. The south does give you great views, though, but it seemed Class 5.
Scouting. I recommend staying on the north side of the ridge, rather than the south. The south does give you great views, though, but it seemed Class 5.
Class 4 section.
Class 4 section.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
North Guardian Angel summit ahead.
North Guardian Angel summit ahead.
North Guardian Angel summit. South Guardian Angel ahead.
North Guardian Angel summit. South Guardian Angel ahead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!