Dwayne27
08-28-2008, 05:32 PM
In the Hidden Splendor this is a short, fun, and entertaining river hike for the whole family, through a spectacular gorge.
Rating: 2B II
Time Required: ~3-5 Hours
Longest Rappel: NA
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
There is excellent camping near the airstrip at Hidden Splendor.
Preferred Season
Spring to Fall, just avoid high water and cold tempatures
Water Concerns
Up to knee deep wading. Check temps and don’t go when rain is threatening
Special Challenges
Don't enter in high water or during rain
Equipment Suggestions
Good water hiking shoes, hiking staff
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Hunt Draw’
Directions to Trailhead
On UT-24, turn west on the Temple Mountain Road heading directly into the Reef. Pass the turn off to Goblin Valley on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and on through the Reef. The Temple Mountain Road runs northwest passing Flat Top (pt. 6480) on your left to a fork in the road at Taylor Flat. Take the left fork. After about four miles you will meet another road coming in from the right at Tan Seep. Stay left again. After about another mile you will come to yet another fork. Family Butte (pt. 7393) dominates the skyline in front of you. Stay left here and follow this road about ten miles across McKay Flat. At the next intersection one option takes you right to Tomsich Butte and Reds Canyon. However, you want to go left one more time and follow this winding road another fifteen miles or so down to the air strip at the old Hidden Splendor Mine.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Hike down an old track on the east side of the Hidden Splendor airstrip until you reach Muddy Creek. If you have a 4wd, you can drive down another track south of Hidden Splendor a ways and cut off some hiking time. From here, simply hike down stream.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Enjoy the soaring walls of this impressive gorge. There are spots where you can follow an old trail that is sometimes used by ORVers. You will have to wade through the creek several times, so this hike is not recommended if Muddy Creek is running high as can happen in a heavy spring runoff or during and after a rainstorm.
Exit
After the creek exits the reef, the hike is less interesting, and this is a good spot to turn around. Heading back upstream, five minutes from this point on canyon right (looking down canyon) is where the Squeeze meets Muddy Creek, and five more minutes up canyon on canyon left (again, looking down canyon) is where Knotted Rope meets Muddy Creek. Both are interesting alcoves that end in dry falls, and are worth a visit.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 2B II
Time Required: ~3-5 Hours
Longest Rappel: NA
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
There is excellent camping near the airstrip at Hidden Splendor.
Preferred Season
Spring to Fall, just avoid high water and cold tempatures
Water Concerns
Up to knee deep wading. Check temps and don’t go when rain is threatening
Special Challenges
Don't enter in high water or during rain
Equipment Suggestions
Good water hiking shoes, hiking staff
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Hunt Draw’
Directions to Trailhead
On UT-24, turn west on the Temple Mountain Road heading directly into the Reef. Pass the turn off to Goblin Valley on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and on through the Reef. The Temple Mountain Road runs northwest passing Flat Top (pt. 6480) on your left to a fork in the road at Taylor Flat. Take the left fork. After about four miles you will meet another road coming in from the right at Tan Seep. Stay left again. After about another mile you will come to yet another fork. Family Butte (pt. 7393) dominates the skyline in front of you. Stay left here and follow this road about ten miles across McKay Flat. At the next intersection one option takes you right to Tomsich Butte and Reds Canyon. However, you want to go left one more time and follow this winding road another fifteen miles or so down to the air strip at the old Hidden Splendor Mine.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Hike down an old track on the east side of the Hidden Splendor airstrip until you reach Muddy Creek. If you have a 4wd, you can drive down another track south of Hidden Splendor a ways and cut off some hiking time. From here, simply hike down stream.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Enjoy the soaring walls of this impressive gorge. There are spots where you can follow an old trail that is sometimes used by ORVers. You will have to wade through the creek several times, so this hike is not recommended if Muddy Creek is running high as can happen in a heavy spring runoff or during and after a rainstorm.
Exit
After the creek exits the reef, the hike is less interesting, and this is a good spot to turn around. Heading back upstream, five minutes from this point on canyon right (looking down canyon) is where the Squeeze meets Muddy Creek, and five more minutes up canyon on canyon left (again, looking down canyon) is where Knotted Rope meets Muddy Creek. Both are interesting alcoves that end in dry falls, and are worth a visit.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -