Red Rock Canyon – Calico Basin Trail

Introduction:

What? :

This short and easy but rewording hike is only 1.5 miles out and back and does not involve climbing or significant elevation gain.

You will start at the new uplevel boardwalk loop walk and from there the trail will lead you along the base of the colorful Calico Hills and large boulders area.

Here you can enjoy the open desert landscape to your right and the large red-orange boulder cliffs to your left.

The area is called Calico Basin is a hill area created from sand dunes rocks that after many years of erosion created Aztec sandstone large boulders.

 

Plan for average time of 1 hour walk, after that you can enjoy the Red Spring Picnic Area at the parking lot.

 

You can combine this relatively short and easy hike with longer trails that leads to other sections of Calico Basin hills area. Calico Basin Trail is part of the Calico Hills Loop Trail, and it connects with the Girl Scout Trail, which continues north from the base of Guardian Angel Canyon to Kraft Mountain Trailhead.

 

 

 

Where? :

The park is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, about 30 minutes’ drive, on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159.

This hike trailhead is located outside the main park section, visitor center and Scenic Loop Road.

Drive out West Charleston Blvd, after 4 miles turn right onto Calico Basin Road, and then drive 1.2 miles to the Red Spring Trailhead and parking lot on the left. Park here; this is the trailhead.

Google Map Link

 

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• Red Rock Canyon – Calico Hills Loop Hike
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• Lake Mead NRA – Redstone Area Hike
• Lake Mead NRA – Rogers Spring

 

When? :

The park is open year-round, but the late fall and winter month are the recommended time to visit here.

Temperatures can average more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. If you are planning to hike, try to come early in the morning. The best protection against heat is drinking plenty of water and limiting exposure to the sun during the hottest parts of the day.

The park averages 294 days of sunshine per year.

Summer afternoon monsoon rainstorm is expected, be aware of flash flood and lightning.

 

Winter mid-day temperatures are the best for hiking, cold night around freezing and mid-day around 50-60f with almost no rain at all.

 

 

 

Due note 1:

Although located in Red Rock Canyon Park this trail head is not located in the main park section, and you do not need to make any visit reservation or pay fees.

 

Due note 2:

There is a large parking lot right at the trailhead, but it can get full during weekends and holidays. You can park along the roads in this area, just make sure your car is completely offroad and not in non-permitted sections.

Restrooms are available at the parking lot.

 

Due note 3:

Cell service is limited, make your park reservation prior driving here. If you plan to hike download your map.

At the visitor center there is wifi.

 

Due note 4:

Pets are welcome at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Pets are permitted on trails and should be leashed

 

Due note 5:

The park is very popular with the rock and boulder climbing community.

There are routes of interest to both the beginning and advanced climbers. Great boulders and sheer rock faces bring climbers from around the world.

Stay off the sandstone when it’s wet (within 24 hours of rain).

 

Due note 6:

The Red Spring Picnic Area has 12 picnic tables, various trash receptacles and toilets. The picnic tables are covered with aluminum pavilions for shade and protection from inclement weather.

 

Due note 7:

The nearest restaurants, supermarket, gas station, are located at the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive, 4.5 miles northeast of the entrance to Red Rock Canyon.

 

Due note 8:

This is a popular area, and you will not be alone here, many other visitors come here during weekends.

 

Due note 9:

Wear a hat, dress in layers, sunglasses and apply sunscreen

 

Due note 10:

Rattlesnakes and scorpions like to hide under rocks and in shrubs, be aware.

 

 

 

My thoughts:

Calico Basin Trail and Boardwalk is a fun place for short easy hike to the red Calico hills. I usually start longer hikes from this parking lot, you do not need to enter the park, pay fee or mad on-line reservation.

 

 

 

The Hike:

From the Red Spring parking lot, and the picnic area you should start you trip here at the spring area boardwalk.

The fragile ecosystem at Red Spring was damaged by visitors walking all over so a new boardwalk was built in 2005 to help protect and restore the area to its natural state.

The boardwalk start at a large cluster of ash trees and then it level up to create a large loop surrounding the flat meadow all the way to the base of Calico hill. You can walk in each direction.

After walking the boardwalk loop you will return to the parking lot and from there you will be heading into the main clearly marked trailhead, located on the northwest side of the parking lot.

 

The trail climb to the direction of the boulder hill, the spring boardwalk area will be on your left.

There are 2 trails in this area try to take the left one that is closer to the base of the Calico hill. No matter which trail you will follow you can’t get lost, and you will walk in the same northwest direction.

 

Continuing up the hill and the trail reaches a flat area, and from here the hiking is almost leveled.

 

In some locations along the trail, you will see trail directions signs.

 

Follow the base of the hill and in front of you will see Cannibal Crag rock.

This is a very popular rock and boulder climbing destination.

The trail runs below this rock on it right, this will be after about 0.3 mile.

 

Keep walking and follow the trail heading northwest, and you will start to get the view into the narrow Guardian Angel Canyon.

The trail pass a flat rocky section and then it is going down into the small creek (Guardian Angel Creek) and passing it to the other side.

Turn left and follow the creek all the way to Girl Scout Trailhead and the opening of Guardian Angel Canyon, this will be 0.6 mile away from the trailhead.

 

The Calico Basin Trail ends here, here you can turn around and hike back to the parking lot or explore the canyon area climbing up.

 

 

 

Additional Pictures: