Round Trip Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 4701 - 4977 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Cold Spring
Trailhead GPS: 37.36419, -109.62705
Fee: $5/person/day, or $10/week
Attractions: cliff dwelling
The Hidden Cove Ruins are located on the Butler Wash side of Comb Ridge west of Bluff, Utah. The alcove sits high up in the expanse of slickrock between two canyons that form several of the teeth of Comb Ridge. Two ruins are found in the Hidden Cove. All that is remaining of one of the ruins is some rubble while the other ruin is in near perfect condition.
From Bluff head west for about 4 miles and turn right onto the Butler Wash Road which is across the highway from the Airport Road. When you reach the BLM kiosk at the 1 mile point of the Butler Wash Road you will need to stop and pay the requisite fee before proceeding. From the kiosk it is another 6.5 miles to the turnoff to the trailhead. For turn-by-turn directions enter 37.36419, -109.62705 into your driving app. A high clearance vehicle will probably be needed to get the last couple hundred yards from the Butler Wash Road to the unmarked trailhead. After parking follow the route near the brown mylar marker that crosses a shallow wash.
After crossing the shallow wash the route follows the remnants of an old 4WD road across the greasewood flats. In this photo the canyon directly ahead is where the Ladder Panel is located along with some cliff dwellings and other rock art. On the left is the canyon where Cold Spring Cave is found. From this spot you can also look to the right of the Ladder Panel canyon and see a small cove where another ruin is hidden away. That ruin is the Hidden Cove Ruin for which we are headed.
At the half mile point from the trailhead there is a faint trail that branches off to the right. Follow that route until it comes up against the slickrock.
From that point it is all guess work to get up to the Hidden Cove. The route taken here heads almost in a straight line until it reaches the rim of the next canyon.
We mostly chose this route so that we could see down into the next canyon that we hadn't hiked yet. Upon reaching the rim the hidden cove becomes visible again making it easy enough to work out the remainder of the route.
After getting closer the final approach was up the slickrock wash that drains the cove.
The first ruin is beneath a short overhang.
There isn't much that remains other than a little rubble.
The second ruin has held up much better as it is in almost perfect condition.
Taking a photo while holding the camera in the doorway reveals the roominess of the interior and the soot stained ceiling from ancient fires. Be sure not to try and enter the ruin or lean against the walls to help preserve the structure.
While hiking along the base of Comb Ridge it is usually easy to spot old pueblo mounds and find pieces of broken pottery. Be sure to leave these where you find them for others to enjoy.
