Length: 4.0 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Wilderness Area: Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness

Journal: "HS Canyon"

**Kid Friendly Hike**

From the junction of SR 179 and SR89-A go West on SR89-A 3.1 miles to Dry Creek Road.  Turn North (right) on Dry Creek Road and drive 2 miles to FR 152C.  The road becomes dirt here and a bit rough in places.  High clearance is a must and 4WD if wet.  If you need a Red Rock Pass, there is a Kiosk at this intersection.  Follow FR 152C 3.4 miles to the signed Secret Canyon TH.

Trail Description:

From the trailhead, cross the boulder-filled Dry Creek and look for the metal sign post that says Secret Canyon and the trail register.  Sign in and follow the flat, sandy Secret Canyon Trail.  The trail quickly reaches the edge of the watercourse and had a beautiful running stream when we hiked it in April 2008.  The moves through juniper and scrub oak along the east side of the creek for about a half mile before crossing to the west side.  About 100 yards after you cross the creek you will find the metal junction sign for the HS Canyon Trail #50.  Turn left here. 

The HS Canyon trail climbs and drops numerous times over the first mile.  The climbs are not difficult and the scenery is wonderful.  While meandering through Manzanita, oak and juniper, glimpses of the red rock formations pop out through breaks in the trees.  The trail crosses HS creek a few times, which was dry.  After about a mile on the HS Trail, the route begins to climb more steadily.  Its is certainly not a groaner, but definitely uphill.  The white spires and hoodoos of Maroon Mountain are ahead. 

Toward the upper reaches of the trail, which had been very easy to follow, gets to be narrow and poorly defined for a short section as it works around a side drainage.  After this drainage, the trail descends a little back to HS Creek.  The trail ends when it reaches the creek at a little cairn.  If you find yourself navigating up the creek bed for more than 100 feet you have passed the end of the trail.

Return the way you came.