HS Canyon-Secret Canyon Loop

The HS - Secret Canyon loop links the less popular HS Canyon with a section of the more popular Secret Canyon.  The trailhead is on Dry Creek Rd and requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle. The loopcan be done in either direction however, clockwise is easier with route finding.  To access HS Canyon, follow the Secret Canyon trail for 3/4 of  a mile.  There is a sign marking a faint trail on the left as HS Canyon. Turn left here.  The trail is easy to follow but is overgrown a bit and receives very little traffic.  Stay on the HS Canyon trail for about 1.3 miles.  Here the trail descends into a wash with an overgrown trail on the other side.

Gaining the slickrock on the other side of the wash is challenging.  Good route finding skills are required and still there is some vegetation to overcome.  Onceon the slickrock, the route is easier for about 3/4 of a mile.  After turning left and facing toward Secret Canyon, the trail become difficult to find again. Much of the trail is overgrown here with many false trails and only the occasion cairn.  The most difficult of the trail is the descent into Secret Canyon.  From a ridge where the Secret Canyo trail is in sight, traverse right until a section that is easy to descend.  Follow the trail to a wash and reamain in the wash until it empties into Secret Canyon.  Ascending onto the Secret Canyon trail is much easier the the previous sections.  From the Secret Canyon trail turn right and continue for 2 miles back to the trailhead.