Hidden Falls Canyon in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Canyoneer Hidden Falls Canyon Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Class 3 3A III (120 ft max) 5.4 miles 2300 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Apr 7, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Hidden Falls Canyon GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Park at the end of the pavement on Rocky Gap Road and hike along the dirt road for a few miles until the turnoff on the left (see map), marked by a cairn. I somehow deleted all my photos from the dirt road, but it's nothing spectacular. Follow the steep social trail along the ridge heading toward North Peak until you notice it starts to become more flat, and head north into a canyon, Hidden Falls Canyon. There is a short rappel shortly after entering the canyon, and then a much longer one, followed by fun down scrambling and obstacle maneuvering. There is one spot to note that if you feel there is no easy way down a ten foot drop, find a cave that leads safely and easily down. Toward the very end, we set up an anchor where there was none because it felt too sketchy to down climb, except for Tara who is a badass. A finale waterfall rappel into a grotto at the end of the Children's Discovery Trail might give you an audience, and the waterfall itself is really pretty.

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After heading up the dirt road for a few miles, head left at a cairn and continue up the ridge.
After heading up the dirt road for a few miles, head left at a cairn and continue up the ridge.
Looking back toward the dirt road on the way up the ridge.
Looking back toward the dirt road on the way up the ridge.
North Peak is somewhere on the right up there.
North Peak is somewhere on the right up there.
Leaving limestone, entering sandstone. Looking back toward the dirt road.
Leaving limestone, entering sandstone. Looking back toward the dirt road.
At the top of the ridge. Austin is looking toward the head of Hidden Falls Canyon.
At the top of the ridge. Austin is looking toward the head of Hidden Falls Canyon.
Entering Hidden Falls Canyon.
Entering Hidden Falls Canyon.
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Hidden Falls Canyon first rappel.
Hidden Falls Canyon first rappel.
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top of Hidden Falls Canyon second, and longest, rappel.
top of Hidden Falls Canyon second, and longest, rappel.
Fashion rock art.
Fashion rock art.
Simul-rapping on rap 2 just for fun, taking a mid-way photo of Tara.
Simul-rapping on rap 2 just for fun, taking a mid-way photo of Tara.
Looking up rap 2.
Looking up rap 2.
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Some obstacles along the way down Hidden Falls Canyon.
Some obstacles along the way down Hidden Falls Canyon.
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Eventually it starts to narrow significantly. Look closely and you can see Austin on the right.
Eventually it starts to narrow significantly. Look closely and you can see Austin on the right.
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There are lots of beautiful, colorful waterfalls the whole way down.
There are lots of beautiful, colorful waterfalls the whole way down.
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Entering the exceptionally narrow section of Hidden Falls Canyon.
Entering the exceptionally narrow section of Hidden Falls Canyon.
Class 3+ downclimb.
Class 3+ downclimb.
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Tara is approaching the spot where a cave leads easily down. She didn't see it and did some sketchy climb to get down. Typical Tara.
Tara is approaching the spot where a cave leads easily down. She didn't see it and did some sketchy climb to get down. Typical Tara.
Coming out of the little cave.
Coming out of the little cave.
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Another rappel.
Another rappel.
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Some easy Class 3 ledges.
Some easy Class 3 ledges.
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A handline aids in getting down one of the shorter drops.
A handline aids in getting down one of the shorter drops.
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Looking back up Hidden Falls Canyon.
Looking back up Hidden Falls Canyon.
Approaching the sketchy Class 3 ledge.
Approaching the sketchy Class 3 ledge.
Tara decided to do the move (see her on left). We weren't as psyched, so we set up a rappel.
Tara decided to do the move (see her on left). We weren't as psyched, so we set up a rappel.
We left our webbing for anyone who may need to rappel this, as well.
We left our webbing for anyone who may need to rappel this, as well.
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Approaching the last rappel.
Approaching the last rappel.
Tara heading down. There was a bolted anchor on the left of this photo that we at first didn't notice, and we set up another anchor on a massive boulder in the wash, only to remove it after finding the bolted anchor.
Tara heading down. There was a bolted anchor on the left of this photo that we at first didn't notice, and we set up another anchor on a massive boulder in the wash, only to remove it after finding the bolted anchor.
Mid-rappel photo of the waterfall's lip. There was an audience below.
Mid-rappel photo of the waterfall's lip. There was an audience below.
Looking back up at the waterfall.
Looking back up at the waterfall.
Looking back toward Hidden Falls Canyon.
Looking back toward Hidden Falls Canyon.
continuing out on the Children's Discovery Trail.
continuing out on the Children's Discovery Trail.
Hidden Falls Canyon on left, the dirt road we took at the beginning of the day goes to the right into that notch.
Hidden Falls Canyon on left, the dirt road we took at the beginning of the day goes to the right into that notch.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!