North Guardian Angel

North Guardian Angel is a 7,395-foot summit of white Navajo sandstone in Zion's western backcountry, about 9.5 miles north-northwest of Springdale. It sits 1.44 miles from its twin, South Guardian Angel, with the Subway's slot canyon tucked between the two.

Reaching the top

• The standard route, the East Ridge, is rated Class 4 — several pitches of exposed scrambling and climbing, not a technical rope climb but more serious than a typical Zion day hike.
• Most parties treat it as a half-day scramble once they're in the backcountry, with real exposure on the upper sections.
• Spring and fall are the more favorable seasons; this is remote terrain without shuttle or road access, so it demands real route-finding and backcountry experience.