Hidden Falls

 Hidden Falls is a small waterfall in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The short trail features a narrow canyon with a pretty forest, a mine shaft, and of course a nice waterfall.

We had a full day at the Big Cottonwood Brew Fest so I just wanted something a little short and easy, so, this is where we ended up. We have been here a couple of times, but it’s been a minute since we were here so why not.

Quick Details:

Length: About 3/10ths of a mile out and back, depending on how much you explore.
Trail Type: Out and back, or a spur off of the Mill B North Trail.
Difficulty: DR3. It is a little rocky, but it is super short.
Elevation Gain: About 100 feet.
Restroom: Yes, at the Mill B South Trailhead.
Dogs? No. Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed.
Other Info: This is now a fee area. $10.00 day use fee.

To Get Here:

Drive about 4.4 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon to the big S Curve. Park in the smaller upper parking lot. The trail picks up across the road to the north.

The Trail:

Trailhead kiosk.

Short little trail up to the road.

Then we have to scramble across Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. It is a super awkward spot next to the S curve, so be super careful.

Into the woods!

Hidden falls to the left, and Mill B North to the right.

Pretty flower.

Mill B North Fork Creek.

Again.

Some penstemon.

Thinner trail.

The creek.

First glimpse of the waterfall through the trees.

The creek.

Waterfall ahead.

Old mine shaft.

Inside.

It doesn’t look like it goes very far back but yeah, I don’t think I need to find out for sure.

The creek.

Hidden Falls.

Again.

Longer exposure.

Again.

The narrow canyon above.

Yellow monkey flowers growing out of the cliff.

Closer.

Even closer.

Cute little flowers.

Looking out of the narrow canyon.

Bottom of the waterfall.

Top.

Water seeping out of the cliff.

More yellow monkey flowers.

Here you can see why they got that name.

I first learned about these in Yellowstone. They grow around the geysers there. They don't seem very picky, just like wet. I read that they even grow out of mineral rich streams coming out of mines.

Another.

Downstream again.

Little alcove.

The waterfall again.

Longer exposure.

Portrait mode.

Heading back down.

Looking back at it.

One last shot.

The mineshaft again.

Inside again.

Tree growing in the cliffs.

The creek.

Roots.

The waterfall again.

With the narrow canyon.

Roots.

Looking up. It reminds me a little bit of Wall Street in Bryce Canyon.

The roots again.

View downstream.

More crazy roots.

The creek.

Again.

Penstemon.

The top of the S curve.

The scramble back across Big Cottonwood Canyon Road.

The short bit down to the parking lot.

General Path we took.

Bonus Content: We needed a restroom so we did a quick jaunt down to Mill B South.

The bottom of the S curve.

The top.

Panoramic.

A peak.

Big Cottonwood Creek.

The Mill B South Trailhead sign.

There is a short paved trail, it leads to a couple smaller waterfalls and it also leads to the Lake Blanche Trail.

The creek again.

Back to the S curve.

Another panoramic.

Neat old car.

Another little peak.

Heading down the canyon (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Again (PSP).

Storm Mountain (PSP).

The mouth of the canyon (PSP).

Back to the Valley (PSP). Its a bit hazy today.

That was a fun quick little add on! I love all waterfalls, so it is nice to have a couple that are easy to get to. We only ran into 1 other couple and it was a nice bonus because we swapped taking pictures for each other. I am taking a squirrel for the scramble across Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. 9 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, It is short, but rocky. DR3.

Dogs are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon, so be sure to leave Fido home.