Red Rock Canyon – Guardian Angel Gully Passage

on

Introduction:

What? :

Fun hike in Calico Basin area where you explore the red rock boulder area and narrow canyon climb. This hike involved with steep climb but is rewording hike.

You can hike all the way to the gully pass and back, this will be 2 miles hike with 620 ft elevation gain.

Or you can make it as a longer loop hike that will be about 3.3 miles long.

 






Plan for hiking time for 2 hours walk depending on your specific hike. After the hike you can enjoy the Red Spring Picnic Area at the parking lot.

 

You can combine this hike with longer trails that leads to other sections of Calico Basin hills area and create a longer loop trail.

 

 

 

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

 

 


 


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 the following climbing up Guardian Angel Gully is a fun rewording hike. I usually do not come here just to hike this but rather use this trail as a starting point for one of the Calico Hill loop hikes.

 


Nearby Related Blogs:



 

 

The Hike:

 


The first section of this hike is following Calico Basin Trail, see my blog for full hike description:

Red Rock Canyon – Calico Basin Trail

 




Description of the first 0.6 mile in short:

From the Red Spring parking lot, and the picnic area you should start you trip here at the spring area boardwalk. 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. Continuing up the hill and the trail reaches a flat area, and from here the hiking is almost level and following the base of the hills and boulders, pass Cannibal Crag rock.


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.

 



From here you will walk into the canyon and start ascending to the gully summit in between the two hills on both sides.

After short walk in the creek there is no clear trail but if you keep looking forward and up you will spot the path people walk through.

“Trails” are going in few directions overcoming large boulders and rocks steps, look for easy path going up.

I find it that the best way to take is the climb up on the lest side of the gully and not in the center of the creek.

You can clearly see how the trail zigzag over the rocks upward, if there are hikers in front of you try to see their path choosing.

 

As you climb up stop and look back at you elevation gain and as the Calico Basin open-up. On both side of the canyon there are impressive red rock cliffs and large boulders.

 



You will pass few large trees but overall, this side of the canyon has not a lot of vegetation and it mainly exposed boulder garden.

 


 

You will come up the gully and soon you will reach summit of this narrow small saddle cutting a gap between two high mountains.

 

From this point you can look back to the way you climb and to the other side you can see the center of Red Rock Park area where La Madre Mountains Wilderness area is towering above the valley.

 



This will be almost 1 mile from your hike starting point.

Here is the perfect location to rest, drink or have a light snake bite.

 

From this point you have 2 options how to continue:

Walk back at the same climb you just did and head to the parking lot or keep walking down on the other side into descending into Guardian Angel Canyon. This is a clear trail with a lot more brushes and at the end of the canyon descent you will connect to Calico Hill Trail and head back south on the other side of the hills and reach you starting point.

For more information of loop hiking options read my blog:

Red Rock Canyon – Calico Hills Loop Hike

 

 

 

 

Additional Pictures:




Comments

Post a Comment