Calico Triple Peak Loop - 4/10/18

Red Cap (Major) Peak

Top of Ash Canyon

Diane Dempsey Descent

Climbing Ash Canyon

 Nineteen Tuesday kids spent five hours in the Calico Hills scrambling up three rocky peaks and a canyon. Laszlo captured these photos of the morning's workout. The route is a great one starting at the Red Springs Picnic Area and heading straight over to Ash Canyon. They climbed the colorful canyon on its left (west) side then hiked around the end of the northern Calico Hills. A steep scramble up the north chute put them at a difficult mantling climb for which they used a short strap and a pile of rocks. After a break on the tallest of the double Red Cap Peaks, they descended to the south.

Descending Red Cap

South Descent off Red Cap (Major)

 This put them at the level where several tinajas reside. They passed the tanks then climbed gently to the end of the rock where a down climb presents itself. It is a steep down climb with several places to use for anchoring the feet. Once upon a time, one of our members, Diane Dempsey, pitched a fit on this scramble and it became known as the Diane Dempsey Descent.

Traversing the Ridge

The Crux of the Hike off Calico Peak

Traversing through the Garden

Up and down over the cream colored sandstone put the group on top of Calico Peak. Continuing straight, the route heads across to a particularly tough descent leading down to the main Calico Tank. (There is an easier go around here to the right.) Next, down to the "garden" and across the red sandstone. Picking just the right ascent chute to the right, the group climbed up to Angel Peak. Then an interesting descent to the Angel Pass Saddle. Finally, at the end of five hours, the group descended back down to Red Springs with tired albeit lasting smiles.

6 miles of scrambling; 2200 feet of climbing; 5 hours

Posing on Angel Peak

The Descent to the Angel Pass Saddle

Nearing the Saddle

Route with North side ascent to Red Cap Major

Route with North side ascent to Red Cap Major

Graph reflects East side ascent to Red Cap Minor

Track reflects East side ascent to Red Cap Minor

Track reflects East side ascent to Red Cap Minor

Track reflects East side ascent to Red Cap Minor

Track reflects East side ascent to Red Cap Minor