17 Attachment(s)
Hidden Canyon From the Top Down
On Friday, June 15th, we did a trip through Hidden Canyon in Zions. Obtained a permit at the Kolob Canyon VC on the way down along I-15. At the VC, we were told that Hidden Canyon"rarely" gets done, but that there were 3 separate groups going through that day. We were also advised to have a trail guide with us, as the ranger explained last year someone took a wrong turn and got cliffed out south of the Great White Throne and required a rescue. Anyone here of that? We were met at the bottom of the technical section by a ranger checking for permits, but more on that later.
Drove a vehicle to the Stave Springs Trailhead, off of the North Fork Road. After 5.3 miles on the North Fork Road is a turn off to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch. Just before the trailhead parking lot for Stave Springs is a park boundary gate. We chose to park outside the gate and walk on in.
From this Stave Spring Trailhead, follow the trail west until you join the East Rim Trail. Continuing onward, you will eventual reach the Cable Mountain/Deertrap Mountain Trails. Continue westward on this trail, ever gaining elevation at a gradual clip. After passing the Cable Mountain Spur trail, you will soon see the canyon and can route find a way down to the head of the canyon and the first rap. This first rap is off a one of several pine tree choices, and drops approximately 100 feet down a vertical rock face that begins to level out before the end.
We encountered about 8 raps, and numerous downclimbs. Rap length ranged from the 100 foot first rap, to several in the 30-40 foot range. The second to the last rap was off an awkward loose dirt spot surrounding a small pine tree. The tree wiggled a bit, but appeared solid. Try avoiding kicking off the loose dirt onto those down below; very dusty and dry.
After completing the raps and numerous downclimbs, and above the exit of the canyon out onto the chain aided ledges, we encountered a 9mm gun toting ranger who asked to see our permits. Without explaining the "why's" of being there, as we thought it strange that he would come all the up from below to check permits in a supposedly quiet canyon, he did tell us he, the park, thought it "odd" that 3 groups were doing it this day. He kept asking us if we saw anyone else and if we knew the other people. We assumed that he was trying to ensure a max group size of 6 and that we were not all of the same group apparently. Strange though, that with a relatively unused canyon they would go to all that trouble to "enforce" a group size limit. I could see the effort made for The Subway and Narrows, etc. With as busy as the summer season in the park is, wondered why they would expend the time and effort on Hidden.
The entire canyon, trailhead to Weeping Rock shuttle stop took us about 8 1/2 hours. It was scenic and fun. Would not, however, necessarily put it on our "do again soon" list however.
