Just noticed this ... great TR for our blown but still super fun outing, Matt!
FWIW, having done both (!) in this trip, I think approaching the NW Ridge via the easy class 3 slab gully on the west side (Matt's second picture) is easier (maybe 5.5 or 5.6) than the standard route via the east-side gully (Matt's third picture). The move to bypass the chockstone atop the east-side gully was easily the hardest move of the day.