West Northgate Peak

West Northgate Peak is the higher of Zion National Park's two Northgate Peaks, a rounded dome of white Navajo Sandstone rising about 500 feet above the saddle reached by the Northgate Peaks Trail on the Kolob Terrace. Where the main trail stops at the viewpoint between the two peaks, reaching the actual summit means leaving the maintained tread for a slickrock scramble up the north ridge.

Know before you scramble

• The route is rated Class 3 — exposed and unroped, even though it isn't technical climbing
• Carrying a rope and basic gear is recommended for safety on the sandstone
• Access is via the Northgate Peaks Trail, about 4.4 miles round trip from Kolob Terrace Road
• The same cross-bedded sandstone pattern seen here shows up at Checkerboard Mesa in the main canyon