We have only a brief time in Zion, and are planning on hiking the Hidden Canyon Trail. (We will be on a roadtrip driving our son's pile of stuff back from college).

2 questions:

1. Are there nice views of the the lower Zion from Hidden Canyon Trail?
2. How scary is the exposed section for those afraid of heights? (our son has problems with heights sometimes--had trouble on the top of Mt. Dana for example). Do the chains help a lot?

It could be alittle scary for someone afraid of heights. The chain is very helpful. Actually we were disappointed with the hidden canyon hike. We preferred the trail toward Observation Point (which starts from the same trailhead). You don't have to hike that far to have a fantastic experience and amazing view; the toughest part is the switchback beginning, but then you get to a level trail in a sur[rise forest.

oops - accidently sent the post when I wanted to make a correction.
Anyway, the view from this trail is far superior to Hidden Canyon. Also the trail to Angel's Landing has an amazing view also and you don't have to go all the way up either.
Be sure to walk into the Temple of Sinawava, especially at dusk.

angel's landing is the premier hike, but not for folks who don't like hikes. Hidden canyon? best view i had was of my car in the parking lot. that having been said i still enjoyed the hike for the the hike itself, not the views... hidden canyon much easier hike. both have chains. if i had to pick a hike in zion there are two, angels landing and the narrows. of course the narrows is a completely different type of hike. it is also more time of year and weather dependant.

as to scary, just don't look down or back just look ahead and up.... that worked for a friend of mine. and coming back down there is no shame sliding on your butt. i have a very short leg reach and find going up is always easier than going down...

Thanks very much for the helpful advice. I don't have a fear of heights (although, I must say that I, too, find it easier to go up than go down)--so I have a hard time judging how my son will handle different situations.

Here's the thing--since this is really a rushed trip (to move him), we literally have only 5-6 hours in Zion. (Plus we'll drive in from the east the day before).

My plan was to hike the Riverside Trail to where the Narrows start. Also to do all the stops from the shuttlebus. Then I wanted to hike something that would give us nice views. Angel's Landing is definitely on my list (for when we go back another time--along with hiking part of the Narrows)--but aside from the acrophobia issue with my son along, we just don't physically have time to do it on this trip.

If we wanted nice views from the Observation Point Trail, how far would we need to go? Are there any other ways to get nice views?

I recommend the Canyon Overlook Trail, which starts right next to the east side of the tunnel (there's a small parking lot across the street). It's a fairly easy and very rewarding trail. Although it's billed as moderately strenuous, most of the climbing occurs in the first 100 yards or so, and after that it's pretty easy. We did the round trip in about an hour, which included a lot of time to stop and admire the views, and we spent quite a while at the end of the trail that has a fantastic view overlooking the valley. You could probably do it faster if you don't dawdle, but it's hard to tear your eyes away from the scenic views. My husband struggles with acrophobia, and he had no problem with this hike.