Overview
Hidden Canyon is a beautiful little valley that hides behind the western walls of Spanish Valley to the southwest of Moab, Utah. A trail takes you 500 ft up a steep slope where Hidden Valley suddenly comes to view. You can then hike the valley 1.5 more miles to a saddle where you can get access to
Moab Rim Trail.
There are supposedly Native American petroglyphs in the area but I did not see any.
Getting There
Drive 3 miles south from Moab on U.S. 191 and turn right onto Angel Rock Road. After two blocks, turn right onto Rimrock Road and drive to parking area.
Route Description
Map
Place | Elevation | Distance |
Trailhead | 4600 ft | zero miles |
Hidden Valley | 5100 ft | 0.60 miles |
Pass | 5220 ft | 1.50 miles |
Total | - | 2.10 miles |
The trail heads southwest going up a slope among the cliffs. It then gradually turns northwest.
As you go up parts of southern Moab come to view.
I did my hike on a cloudy day. On a clear day, La Sal Mountains should be in good view.
La Sal Mountains hidden in clouds
Hidden Valley will now appear as a grassy plain. Big walls rise to the left (southwest).
Keep going toward a high point.
High point
After the high point, you will descend a tiny bit going onto a second plain.
You will then reach the pass at the end of the hike described here. Continuing west will eventually get you to Moab Rim Trail. At the pass, you will have good views of the sandstone fins of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness and the La Sal Mountains.
Behind the Rocks
Hidden Valley
La Sal Mountains
La Sal Mountains
Essential Gear
Hiking equipment.
External Links
No permits or fees required.
External Link
BLM Site.