A fine adventure in a wilderness setting, descending Hidden from the top makes for a great day of downclimbing and rappeling. Hidden can also be ascended, making it one of the few technical canyons in Zion that swings both ways.

The Hidden Canyon Trail was blasted out of the rock in 1928, a year after rangers explored the canyon when looking for W. H. Evans, the first ascentionist of the Great White Throne.

Approach:

The top of Hidden can be approached from either the East Rim Trailhead, or from Weeping Rock via Echo Canyon. The latter is quite long, but requires only one car. From the crossing of the wash near the top of Hidden, make your way to the north end of the blocky bluff, and find the very head of the canyon. A few cairns mark a faint trail leading down to the edge, at the apex.

Canyon:

Carefully descend steep dirt to any of several trees overlooking the head of the canyon. A huge pine right at the apex might be your best choice. If you need to, pick another one and rap further.

Hidden throws many obstacles at the intrepid canyoneer. Most are downclimbable, but a few will have to be rappeled. Abundant trees, logs and rocks provide many opportunities for natural anchors. A few bolts pop up in surprising places, as do a couple of arches.

Exit:

At the end of the canyon, the well-constructed Hidden Canyon Trail heads right, connecting with the Observation Point Trail and leading down to Weeping Rock.

Want More Info? Check out this Trip Report.