birdandhike.com logo
Home | Wilderness | Hiking | Desert NWR
Hidden Forest Cabin and Wiregrass Spring
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Hidden Forest Cabin

Thanks to Kenny Amundsen and others, the old cabin has been restored!
See photos of the roof and exterior reconstruction and the floor and interior reconstruction.
Additional photos of the Cabin Exterior, Cabin Interior, Cabin Grounds, Wiregrass Spring

Hidden Forest Cabin
Water pipe at the cabin [more photos]

Note: The climate is changing, and springs all over southern Nevada are drying up. In the early 2010s, the springbox at Wiregrass Spring went dry. Beginning in 2016, the water pipe at Hidden Forest Cabin, which originates at the spring, has become unreliable. After heavy rains during the 2016-17 winter, water flow rates at the cabin returned to normal. Since then, flow rates have ebbed and flowed, but after the wet winter of 2018-19, water barely flowed. Apparently, the flow fluctuates daily too: "We stayed the night, and while we were there, the rate changed quite a bit. Came to a stop at one point, steady stream at another, but most of the time it was a slow trickle."

October 2023. From a FaceBook photo: the water is flowing at a better rate than I've seen in a long time.

Hikers: Please send updates about flow rates.
Hidden Forest
Trailhead parking (view NE towards trail)

Overview

This moderately strenuous hike follows an old road up a canyon into the mountains to a hidden ponderosa pine forest. The Hidden Forest starts at the first ponderosa pines (3.7 miles out) and continues to the crest of the mountains. The road ends at an old, hand-hewn log cabin (5.6 miles out). This is a good place to camp, sit beneath the pines, enjoy to coolness, and listen to the wind and the birds. Water is available at the cabin, so this is a good backpacking destination, but it is a popular place and can be crowded on weekends.

For general information on camping, regulations, other issues, and the natural history of the Wildlife Refuge, see the Desert National Wildlife Refuge -- Area Overview page.

Link to map or elevation profile.

Hidden Forest Trail
Trailhead sign (view NE)

Hidden Forest Cabin

The origins of Hidden Forest Cabin were surrounded in mystery and rumor, and it was thought that construction began as early as 1880. It would seem that the origins of a structure like this would not have been so quickly lost to history.

In 2020, however, Reporter Tom Hawley of Las Vegas Channel 3 News did some digging in old newspaper archives and found stories reporting that the cabin was built in 1931 by Clarence Russell, a World War I veteran seeking a place of solace in the mountains. One can imagine that he was suffering from PTSD. USFWS archaeologists used tree-ring data to corroborate the 1930s date.

In 1932, Mr. Russell was apparently enraged that another settler (Mr. Moore) encroached on his solitude by taking up residence in the next canyon to the north. Mr. Russell drove over, confronted his neighbor, and shot him dead. Mr. Moore's son then shot Mr. Russell dead.

After that, the land became a refuge, and the cabin was taken over as a patrol cabin. Some say however, that the cabin was used for bootleg gin. I have no evidence, but I would not doubt it.

Hidden Forest Trail
Start of Hidden Forest Trail (view NE)

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert... this is a safe hike. Hiking in loose gravel is tiring, more tiring than might be expected, so don't overestimate the speed at which you will be able to hike up the canyon. Depending on recent weather conditions, a 2WD-HC vehicle should make it to the trailhead, but call the refuge manager if you have questions.

Large numbers of birds use the water at the cabin, so while camping, stay far enough away from the water to let the birds and other little creatures drink.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, this hike is long, so be sure to bring the 10 Essentials.

This is a wildlife refuge, so pay extra attention to respecting the land. Please, don't bother the bighorn sheep. They have a hard enough time making a living in these desert lands; they don't need extra stress from people camping or sitting around the spring.

Hidden Forest Trail
The trail goes around a gate blocking the old road (view NE)

Because of heavy use and disuse, the USFWS requests that people stop leaving "supplies" in the cabin, stop sleeping inside the cabin (except for emergencies), make better pooping choices, pack out everything you brought in, and pack out some extra trash too.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, about 2 hours north of town. From town, drive out to Corn Creek Field Station and continue east 50 yards to a T-intersection. Turn left onto Alamo Road and drive north for 14.5 miles to Hidden Forest Road. Turn right onto Hidden Forest Road and drive east 3.8 miles to a parking area at the end of the road. There are no turns, and the road ends against the first set of hills. Under normal conditions, these are good, well-graded roads. Park here; this is the trailhead.

Hidden Forest Trail
Sign on gate (actual distance to Wiregrass Spring is 5.7 miles)

The Hike

The trailhead is on a narrow bench between a steep rocky hillside and a deep, broad wash. The vegetation at the trailhead is typical of the dry desert region along the access roads, which as stunted creosote bush, white bursage, some small Joshua trees, and a few other scattered shrubs. Not only is this a dry desert area, but it is in the rain shadow of the Spring Mountains, so it gets even less rain than other areas in southern Nevada. Some of the most stunted plants in southern Nevada grow along the western flank of the Sheep Range.

From the trailhead (Table 1, Waypoint 01), the old road continues past a gate and drops steeply into Deadman Wash. A sign at the trailhead says that Wiregrass Spring is 4 miles out, but the cabin is 5.7 miles out, and the spring is about 0.13 miles past the cabin. The sign should read: Wiregrass Spring 5.8 miles.

Hidden Forest Trail
Trail follows old road down into Deadman Wash (view NE)

Shortly, the wash narrows abruptly, and the old road passes another gate at the narrowest point. In the wash, where underground water from the mountains is channeled into a narrow area, the vegetation is relatively lush compared to the trailhead, and there are lots of large, closely spaced shrubs including desert almond, apache plume, saltbush, Mormon tea, rabbitbrush, lots of little shrubs, and some spring flowers, but there is little shade. Through here, watch for Rock Wrens and Black-throated Sparrows, species typical of the lower-elevation desert mountains.

Beyond the second gate, the wash opens up to several hundred yards wide, and the old road runs essentially straight up the canyon. Along this part, the grade seems fairly steep, and the old road is covered with loose gravel, making the hike seem hot (little shade), long, and steep. About 1.3 miles out (Wpt. 02), Deadman Canyon narrows and the nature of the environment changes to a pinyon-juniper forest. At this point, the hike seems to get easier and more pleasant (the trail is just as steep, but it seems easier, and there is some shade).

Hidden Forest Trail

In the canyon, the trail switches between following the old road and following the wash. Sometimes it is hard to tell which is the best route, but the canyon is narrow and there is nowhere to get lost, so it doesn't really matter.

In this part of the canyon, the single-leaf pinyon pines and Utah juniper offer lots of shade and there are lots of robust desert almond, apache plume, cliffrose, sagebrush, and other shrubs. At about 2.2 miles out, a large flashflood in July 2008, came down a side canyon and covered the bottom of Deadman Canyon with rocks and debris. At 3.0 miles out, there is a nice, but dry, camping area (Wpt. 03) where hikers can drop the packs and rest. Watch for Spotted Towhee, Juniper Titmice, and a variety of flycatchers, species typical of these middle-elevation mountains.

Hidden Forest Trail
Trail follows old road up towards mouth of Deadman Wash (view NE)

At 3.7 miles out, hikers round a corner and see the first ponderosa pines (Wpt. 04). Shortly the pinyon pines and junipers fade away, and the entire forest is composed of ponderosa pine with a few white fir scattered about. This is now the Hidden Forest, and this is where it really starts feeling like a pine forest; the trail seems even easier, and the air feels cooler, but on the grade doesn't really change that much.

For the remaining two miles, the trail wanders up the canyon, which alternates from narrow to wide and back again. Rocky, tree-covered hillsides rise high above the canyon, and in a few place, tall limestone cliffs cap the canyon rim. The understory thins out higher up, giving the typical open, park-like feeling of mature ponderosa forests. In this forest, listen for Hermit Thrush, Western Tanager, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet songs, and the chatter of chipmunks and rock squirrels. Except for the rock squirrel, all of these are species of the higher-elevation desert mountains.

Hidden Forest Trail
Passing cliffs at entrance to Deadman Canyon (view E)

After wandering through the piney woods for a few miles, at about 5-1/4 miles out, the trail becomes faint and two large trees lie across the trail. It might seem that the trail ends here, but continuing around the logs, the trail picks up again and the cabin is only 5-10 minutes farther up the canyon.

Continuing up the trail, the canyon bends to the northeast (left). The trail passes the new outhouse on the left, passes the site of an old corral (now gone) on the left, and quickly arrives at the old log cabin (Wpt. 05).

Getting to the cabin is easy because the old road runs right up to it, but if you want to hike to Hayford or Sheep peaks, it is a bit confusing at first. The cabin is located in the mouth of a side canyon that comes down from the north; it is not in Deadman Canyon, proper. The cabin is on the east (right) side of the side canyon near the confluence with Deadman Canyon, which continues to the east (farther right). Standing on the porch of the cabin and looking out, Deadman Canyon is to the left (south) and Wiregrass Canyon runs up to the right (north). This distinction is only important for hiking farther up the canyon.

Hidden Forest Trail
Hiker approaching the second Deadman gate (view SE)

Wiregrass Spring is about 0.13 miles up Wiregrass Canyon beyond the cabin. From the porch of the cabin, look north up Wiregrass Canyon (standing on the porch, facing out, look right) and you will see a use-trail running across an open area and steeply up a hill into the trees. Follow the use-trail for 5-8 minutes to the spring, which is a hole in the ground covered by boards. In some years, a trickle of water runs out and across a flat area with some wiregrass (genus Juncus). The water runs over an edge below the spring, providing a place where birds come to drink and bathe. There is also a sheep drinker below the spring where larger animals can get water; be sure to keep the springbox covered to keep large animals out.

Hidden Forest Trail
Hiker passing gate and Deadman narrows (view SE)

The old cabin area is a nice place to camp, sit in the shade, rest, relax, listen to the birds, and contemplate life during a simpler time when rangers lived in the log cabin and roamed these mountains guarding against poachers. While resting here, be sure to take a few minutes to clean up the site. The cabin and its contents are in pretty good shape, but over-use sometimes produces a lot of trash.

The new outhouse (late 2020) is located along the trail just before the cabin. For those who prefer a more open experience, the old latrine is located across Deadman Wash, south of the cabin. It is behind a big tree, so walk across the wash and look around. It is a wooden box with a seat and a hole; there are no walls. Don't poop near the cabin!

To return to the trailhead, follow your footprints back down the canyon, as there are no other easy routes available.

Hidden Forest Cabin
Trail sign (view SE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Trail sign: no fires (view SE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Trail sign: Leave no trace (view SE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Trail sign: Leave no trace in Spanish (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Trail follows gravel wash bottom (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Interesting cave? (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Entrance to interesting cave (view S)
Hidden Forest Trail
Not-so-interesting cave (but shelter for 2 people during rainstorm)
Hidden Forest Trail
First pinyon pine along the trail (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Loose gravel in wash bottom (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Hiker approaching the Black Gate Cliffs (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Black Gate Cliffs (view N from trail)
Hidden Forest Trail
The trail starts to have more dirt and less loose gravel (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Approaching first shade tree and campsite (view SE)
Hidden Forest Trail
Campsite at first shade tree near trail (view S)
Hidden Forest Trail
Deadman Canyon, about 1.2 miles out (view E)
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest
Approaching the top of the open canyon (view SE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker entering the narrower canyon (view E)
Hidden Forest
The narrower canyon remains open and hot (view E)
Hidden Forest
The narrower canyon remains open and hot (view E)
Hidden Forest
Parts of the trail run in an erosion ditch (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Parts of the trail run in on gravel berms (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker climbing over flashflood debris (view E)
Hidden Forest
Hiker atop flashflood debris (view E)
Hidden Forest
Flashflood debris came down this side canyon (view SE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker on the other side of the flashflood debris (view E)
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest
Approaching flashflood debris from a canyon on the north side
Hidden Forest
Faint trail atop flashflood debris
Hidden Forest
Flashflood debris came down this side canyon (view N)
Hidden Forest
Crossing over the Flashflood debris
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest
Hiker getting shade along the trail
Hidden Forest
Approaching Half-Way Camp
Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest Trail at Half-Way Camp
Hidden Forest
Half-Way Camp
Hidden Forest
Half-Way Camp
Hidden Forest
Half-Way Camp
Hidden Forest
Trail continues past Half-Way Camp (view SE)
Hidden Forest
No fires on the north side of the trail at Half-Way Camp (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Trees start to provide more shade along the trail (view SE) ...
Hidden Forest
... but most of the trail is in full sun (view SE)
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest
The first ponderosa pines come into view (view E)
Hidden Forest
The first ponderosa pines along the trail (view E)
Hidden Forest
Nice ponderosa pine (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Trail forks: main trail stays right in the wash (view E)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Young ponderosa pines (view E)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Older ponderosa pines (view E)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Small stand of ponderosa pines (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Trail pass a rock outcrop (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Alternate trail merges back into main trail (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker continuing up the trail (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker approaching Thorn's Hammer (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Looking back at Thorn's Hammer (view SW)
Hidden Forest
The area begins to feel like a real forest
Hidden Forest
A young white fir along the trail (view E)
Hidden Forest
Ponderosa pine along the trail (view E)
Hidden Forest
Big sagebrush along the trail (view E)
Hidden Forest
Hiker in Hidden Forest (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Skylight Cave is visible across the canyon (view SE)
Hidden Forest
Campsite below the cave (view SE)
Hidden Forest
Approaching Skylight Cave (view SE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker inside Skylight Cave (view SE)
Hidden Forest
The "floor" of Skylight Cave (view SE)
Hidden Forest
The skylight inside Skylight Cave (view up)
Hidden Forest
View of the sky through the skylight inside Skylight Cave (view up)
Hidden Forest
The trail continues into the hidden forest (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker on trail in Hidden Forest (view NE)
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest
Trail runs up through Hidden Forest (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Big ponderosa pine along the trail (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker beginning detour around fallen trees (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Logs across the trail -- almost there! (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker detouring around fallen trees (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker, past second fallen tree, retuning to the trail (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Sign: no fires in this area (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker on trail in evening light (view NE)
Hidden Forest
The cabin and outhouse come into view (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Hiker passing the outhouse (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Outhouse (view W from main trail)
Hidden Forest
Hiker continuing past the outhouse (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Approaching the cabin (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker approaching the cabin (view NE)
Hidden Forest Cabin
Arriving at the cabin (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker entering the camp area (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Hiker in the camp area; cabin is to the right (view NE)
Hidden Forest
Drinking water pipe at the cabin
Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest Cabin, evening light (view SE)
Hidden Forest
Hidden Forest Cabin, evening light (view E)
hidden forest
Cabin exterior (view NE) [more photos]
hidden forest
Cabin interior in 2013 ; please keep clean (view N) [more photos]
Hidden Forest Cabin
Fire ring and table in front of cabin (view N) [more photos]
Hidden Forest Cabin
Fire ring and table in front of cabin (view S) [more photos]
Hidden Forest
Trail to Wiregrass Spring (view N from cabin)
Wiregrass Spring
Wiregrass Spring in 2003 (view NW) [more photos]

Table 1. Hiking Coordinates Based on GPS Data (NAD27, UTM Zone 11S). Download Hiking GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.

Wpt. Location Easting Northing Elevation (ft) Point-to-Point Distance (mi) Cumulative Distance (mi) Verified
01 Hidden Forest trailhead 653158 4054877 5,833 0.00 0.00 GPS
02 Trail enters Deadman Canyon 654867 4054106 6,250 1.27 1.27 GPS
03 Camping area 657179 4054433 6,926 1.76 3.03 GPS
04 First ponderosa pines 657820 4054399 7,253 0.64 3.67 GPS
05 Hidden Forest cabin 660324 4055281 7,943 1.89 5.56 GPS
06 Wiregrass Spring 660246 4055433 7,980 0.13 5.69 GPS
01 Hidden Forest trailhead 653158 4054877 5,833 5.69 11.37 GPS

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240324

Hiking Around DNWR Hiking Around Las Vegas Glossary Copyright, Conditions, Disclaimer Home
Google Ads