Weather: 63º, overcast
About this Hike: This one's been on my bucket list a while. In April 2018 I did explore the very beginning of Secret Canyon, but this was an unplanned side excursion after a long hike over Sterling Pass, Sterling Canyon, and Vultee Arch.
The challenge with Secret Canyon is getting there. The 3.5 miles over Forest Road 152 are more than I'd even like to attempt even with my Tacoma TRD OR. I learned of a shortcut (~2.5 miles) by parking at Long Canyon and hiking to FR-152 via Chuckwagon Trail. From there it's about a mile along FR-152 to the Secret Canyon Trailhead.
This hike to the trailhead was beautiful in and of itself. Chuckwagon is high above Dry Creek, which is still not living up to it's name based on the cascades of water flowing through. This route added an hour in both directions just getting to the trailhead. Surprising, because I can usually average 4+ MPH in good hiking conditions.
Secret Canyon's beauty needs to be kept a secret. It's so close, yet so far away from the circus that Devil's Bridge has become. Secret Canyon could be a satisfying alternative to West Fork. No, it's not as beautiful as West Fork, but it's sheer remoteness drives away the flocks of tourists that wait in long lines to access the Fork.
The creeks in Secret Canyon were flowing strong which made it all the more magical. The trail largely runs parallel high above a creek. A mile or so in and snow began to appear. At about 2.5 miles in, scrub oak and old-growth ponderosa forest offered shade and fragrant scents.
Eventually the trail dropped in the creekbed and parallel to a massive red-rock wall. I assume the trail begins to follow the creek here, which was impassable due to the high volume of icy water rushing down. This made a good stop-and-turn-around point.
High above the creek on the way out, I could hear the distinct roar of a waterfall. Finding a safe vantage to view it was another challenge. Following my ears, I picked up a side trail to a stunning overlook point that was the highlight of this hike. A flume was pouring out of the red rocks and filling a pool below with deep blue water. It reminded of something you'd see in Watkins Glen, NY, only with red sandstone instead of limestone shale.
Part of me wishes I could have gone all 4.5 - 5 miles to the end of this trail. Another part of me thinks I got pretty close and likely saw the best there was to see of Secret Canyon. There are a number of trails that intersect with Secret Canyon, so I wouldn't be surprised if someday I'm back to explore more of this stunning area.
About this Hike: This one's been on my bucket list a while. In April 2018 I did explore the very beginning of Secret Canyon, but this was an unplanned side excursion after a long hike over Sterling Pass, Sterling Canyon, and Vultee Arch.
The challenge with Secret Canyon is getting there. The 3.5 miles over Forest Road 152 are more than I'd even like to attempt even with my Tacoma TRD OR. I learned of a shortcut (~2.5 miles) by parking at Long Canyon and hiking to FR-152 via Chuckwagon Trail. From there it's about a mile along FR-152 to the Secret Canyon Trailhead.
This hike to the trailhead was beautiful in and of itself. Chuckwagon is high above Dry Creek, which is still not living up to it's name based on the cascades of water flowing through. This route added an hour in both directions just getting to the trailhead. Surprising, because I can usually average 4+ MPH in good hiking conditions.
Secret Canyon's beauty needs to be kept a secret. It's so close, yet so far away from the circus that Devil's Bridge has become. Secret Canyon could be a satisfying alternative to West Fork. No, it's not as beautiful as West Fork, but it's sheer remoteness drives away the flocks of tourists that wait in long lines to access the Fork.
The creeks in Secret Canyon were flowing strong which made it all the more magical. The trail largely runs parallel high above a creek. A mile or so in and snow began to appear. At about 2.5 miles in, scrub oak and old-growth ponderosa forest offered shade and fragrant scents.
Eventually the trail dropped in the creekbed and parallel to a massive red-rock wall. I assume the trail begins to follow the creek here, which was impassable due to the high volume of icy water rushing down. This made a good stop-and-turn-around point.
High above the creek on the way out, I could hear the distinct roar of a waterfall. Finding a safe vantage to view it was another challenge. Following my ears, I picked up a side trail to a stunning overlook point that was the highlight of this hike. A flume was pouring out of the red rocks and filling a pool below with deep blue water. It reminded of something you'd see in Watkins Glen, NY, only with red sandstone instead of limestone shale.
Part of me wishes I could have gone all 4.5 - 5 miles to the end of this trail. Another part of me thinks I got pretty close and likely saw the best there was to see of Secret Canyon. There are a number of trails that intersect with Secret Canyon, so I wouldn't be surprised if someday I'm back to explore more of this stunning area.
