Guardian Angel Loop (aka Red Springs Loop) - 10/17/24

The Guardian Angel Carving

 

The end of the descent Canyon

Rabbithole at Angel Pass

Starting out from Red Springs Picnic Area

As we drift slowly into the lower elevations for the cooler seasons, the temperature is dropping fast as I speak. It will become a little warmer after the cold front passes through but, alas, it is time for us to think about moving the hikes back to Red Rock Canyon NCA. So, we started from the Red Springs Picnic Area and headed northward around the Calico Hills and into the first large canyon on the left. This canyon has a few use trails that climb up to the pass above, Guardian Angel Pass. Usually, we climb up a trail on the left side of the canyon but, for this hike, we stayed to the right for much of the climb. It was interesting to change up the route. We followed David Hardy at a fast pace getting a good workout as we scrambled.

Steep Scrambling

View back down ascent Canyon

Taking a breather at Angel Pass

The descent Scramble

Descending on the other side of the pass has fewer use trails. In fact, there is only one way to get through the boulders and brush several times. But, it is almost impossible to miss the angel carving on the side of a large rectangular boulder as you near the bottom. We passed this and continued all the way down to the Calico Wash to turn left. After passing the usual snack area above, we crossed over to the left side of the wash on the rock shelf. This "trail" led us through the rock slot and up to the upper and former Grand Circle Trail. We dropped down and climbed up to the Calico I area and dropped down the other side to continue either in the wash or around on the parallel trail to the petroglyph area below some more climbing walls.

Reaching the Guardian Angel Carving

Starting down through the Calico Wash

Rock climber sandblasting some Graffiti (Thanks)

Climbing up to take the upper Route

From the bottom of the hill, we climbed up to the overlook saddle that rises above the Red Springs parking lot where we saw a group of rock climbers that appeared to be learning how to rappel (french) or abseilen (german) or, in english, to rope down. It was a fun hike as everyone was giving it their best effort to keep up with the fast pace.

Stats: 3.5 miles; 1000' gain; 3 hours

Sliding down the Dryfall

Following the Calico Wash

Finishing the hike by way of the Overlook