Hidden Falls - 6/3/23

The Gang at the Bottom of Hidden Falls

View Up Canyon from Trail

On the Trail

Upper section of Hidden Falls

There is a waterfall that normally only runs in the spring with the snow melt. In fact, sometimes, it barely runs then. This year, with all the snow that the southwest received during the winter of '23, Hidden Falls is running strong and is worth the steep climb up to see it in person. However, it is recommended that you bring microspikes for the trip! And, maybe a piece of cardboard or plastic for sliding down the snow in the descent! Five club hikers met up at the Trail Canyon Trailhead early on this Saturday morning before the crowds overran the parking lot. We walked down to the utility building and passed around it on the right side. This area is the base of a very old ski run that was complete with a T-Bar!

Snow in Canyon below Falls

Climbing up the Snowy Canyon (Falls to Left)

Hikers dealing with the Snow

At the Base of Hidden Falls

Charlie's view up the Hidden Falls Cliff

Heading straight up the hill that used to be the T-Bar run, we soon veered off to the left on a trail. Both the run and the trail are legitimate ways to reach the top of the T-Bar run and its machinery. Here, there is an obvious trail heading up into the weeds. We stayed on the right side of the canyon and soon met the snow line. The snow is steep but most of our small group plugged along with some sort of speed. I was in the back! Finally, I reached the top area where everyone else was gathered. I stayed a few feet down so that I could take photos. The complete waterfall is very tall and twisty. It is difficult to get it all into even a panoramic photo! A few moments later, we started back down. Hmm. Everyone seemed to have their own style of snow descent. I tried side-stepping for a while then hit a lot of wet icy slush. Down, I went, and the second time, I just stayed down and "glissaded" down the snow. So much wet fun! Together again, we hiked down to the T-Bar machinery and followed the old run back down to the utility building. We continued our hike by doing a "first of the season" climb up Trail Canyon. Whew! Wow! Look for the downed trees at the saddle.

Stats: Hidden Falls 1.25 miles; 600' gain; 1.25 hours

                                                                                     Trail Canyon 4.2 miles; 1500' gain; 2.25 hours

Cliffs to right of Hidden Falls

Kay taking the easy way Down - So much wet fun!

Old T-Bar Apparatus & Run

Two large Trees downed at Trail Canyon Saddle

Charlie took this of Charlie!

The graph and track photos below are of the Hidden Falls hike only.