Canyoneer South Guardian Angel and The Subway Zion National Park, UT

Directions

Route Map

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

South Guardian Angel is a remote peak in Zion's Kolob Terrace, and the ridiculously visually stunning east ridge approach has had me excited to get there since I laid eyes on it. The standard route route crosses through the Left Fork of North Creek (aka The Subway), so I thought the best route would be to take the standard Subway route, but take a detour to find South Guardian Angel. I haven't done the standard Subway approach yet, so this seemed like it would be a pretty great outing. Somehow I was able to score two Subway permits, so clearly it was meant to be.

From the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, head down into the Left Fork of North Creek on an easy-to-follow trail. The last few hundred feet has some Class 2 that spits you into the canyon. Follow the canyon downstream (you'll likely see other people en route to the Subway) until you get to the first narrow section after a full swimmer, where you have to pay close attention to the south side of the canyon to find a natural arch marking the gully up and out the canyon. A Class 4 move is followed by a steep slope to the mesa. Continue along a sandy wash to the base of South Guardian Angel and find a route up the slickrock to gain the ridge. The very summit has a really easy Class 4 move on some crumbly slab, but it's short-lived. After summiting, continue back into the Subway and follow the standard route, ending at the Left Fork Trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

South Guardian Angel

7140 ft

1205 rise

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Follow the Wildcat Canyon Trail for a while until you get to the Subway route.

Continuing along the standard Subway route, Russel Gulch on the right.

Heading down the Class 2 scramble into the Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway).

Optional rappel.

A fun swim.

Once you get here, look left and find a little arch.

Go up the gully next to the arch.

The Class 3 upclimb to get into the gully.

The gully spits you out above the creek.

Backcountry, no more trails.

Follow a sandy wash until you get to slickrock in a couple miles.

Leaving the wash and entering the slickrock wonderland.

Route-finding up the base of South Guardian Angel.

There it is peeking out.

Once you get to the false summit, keep to the left.

A view of the peak, with the peak's crazy slope on the right.

The short Class 3/4 section.

Looking back along the slabby Class 3/4 section.

Summit! The Subway is on the left, far below.

Back into the Left Fork of North Creek...

A great swim.

Rather than bring rappelling gear, I remembered from the last time I did the Subway (three days ago) that you can jump a 2-3 foot chasm and downclimb on a log on the opposite side. You can see people rappelling in the background.

Heading up the last elevation gain bit to get to the Left Fork trailhead.

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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!