Trek along steep canyon walls and scramble over large rocks to get to Hidden Canyon in Zion National Park
By Dan Sanchez
First time visitors to Zion rarely get to see some of the hidden areas of the park. But one of the best hikes that’s off the list of most tours, is Hidden Canyon. The area of Hidden Canyon is located above the east rim of Zion Canyon, and is a great trek for experienced hikers. The canyon offers lush greenery between narrow high walls and ends with a small arch that you might pass by if you’re not looking carefully.
The Hidden Canyon hike also has some scrambling involved so it’s important to wear good hiking shoes with excellent grip. There are also some steep drop-offs on the way to Hidden Canyon, so it’s not for the faint of heart, but will still offer an exciting hike. Chain railings on the cliff sides offer added security but the walkways are wide and you only need to be careful, especially when taking along younger children.
To get to Hidden Canyon, you start at the Weeping Rock trail head and take the trail to the right. The trail begins as a paved walkway until you reach the upper most sections of switchbacks, that steadily climb up the side of Zion Canyon. The switchbacks last about a mile and at the top the trail to Hidden Canyon continues on the right.
As you climb further still, after 1.5-miles, and you reach a landing at the top of Zion Canyon that offers stunning views of the park. The trial weaves across the canyon walls, and in some areas, you’ll need to traverse across very steep vertical cliffs. The chains will help you if you’re intimidated but the trail is wide and there’s plenty of room for two people to pass when necessary.
You’ll then reach a small canyon above the cliffs and continue to trek up a stone staircase to a cut out path in the rock. Shoes with good traction are a must here, and as you continue on you’ll reach the mouth of a sandy narrow canyon. A sign post indicates it’s Hidden Canyon. There are several rock obstacles that requires scrambling and getting a good grip. Some of the scrambling is over rock and large tree roots. Make sure you have a helping hand with a friend or two.
The steep canyon walls are covered in ferns, flowers and lots of trees. You might miss the arch on the right so keep an eye out for it. You can hike past the arch about 1.2 miles but you’ll eventually reach a dry water fall. You’ll need climbing gear and rope to tackle that so most will turn around and trek back to the trail head.
Hidden Canyon is a great trail if you want to try something not as intimidating as the more popular Angels Landing. It can at least give you an idea of the challenges you will face on the Angels Landing trail. Access to Zion Canyon requires taking the shuttle from the Visitor Center and exit at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. Then head east pass the parking log and bathrooms to the trail head. This is approximately a 4.5 mile hike in so you’ll need a liter or two of water. In the summer the canyon is in shade but you should still bring sun protection. For more information on this trail or any trails in Zion National Park, visit www.nps.gov/zion.
