Jan 18, 2019 — This route hits two short, scenic limestone slot canyons just outside of Las Vegas. I'd say Hidden Canyon is a lot more interesting - Box Canyon took a fair amount more effort to get to and, though pretty, has an easier approach from the east along a dirt road (not mapped on my route). My route assumes you want some desert bushwhacking and to combine both canyons.
From the parking area, head up the obvious wash leading around a mountain and then northwest to the mouth of Hidden Canyon. A walk-around to the north takes you to the canyon head. We opted to continue up this wash to get to Box Canyon and return to Hidden Canyon later. The wash leads up to a saddle, and then through open desert where lots of deep gullies make the route a bit slow-moving. Eventually, you'll get to the mouth of Box Canyon. Pass a dam and then keep right at a junction within the canyon - the left is the last rappel of Box Canyon. The beta I read stated there were cable ladders rather than rappels, but they're no longer there.
Head up the right fork of Box Canyon along some fun scrambling to a saddle, where you drop into Box canyon. There are a bunch of fun downclimbing obstacles and two short rappels. Once out of Box Canyon, head back through the desert complete Hidden Canyon, using the same exit as the approach.
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