Backdoor Calico Scramble - 3/11/22

Northern View from the top of south Calico Hills

Inside the Wave Formation

Swirls and a Mushroom

Hiking the Backdoor Trail

Four fabulous hikers started out at the Calico Basin Wash Trailhead and climbed up the berm leading to the other side of the Calico Hills. My name for this trail is the Backdoor Trail. Not sure what Red Rock calls it. Anyhow, this is a beautiful trail with scenic views of the southern end of the Calico Hills and the Sandstone Bluffs in the distance. It follows the berm getting very high above the wash on the right side. Along the trail today, we noted that the Joshua Trees are blooming here. We also saw that the Mojave Yuccas are beginning their blooms. I hope this bodes well for a flowery season upcoming. We gradually headed uphill for around 1.5 miles until the Backdoor Trail reached a 4-way trail junction.

Joshua Tree blooms on the Backdoor Trail

Southern end of the Calico Hills - Our Descent Route

Mojave Yucca Bloom

Rounding the Corner of the Calico Hills

We turned to the right and started descending to the wash below. We missed the traverse trail and continued all the way down. At the bottom of the hill, we turned to the left and followed the trail along the wash staying on the embankment. The trail veers left and begins a steep climb up to circumvent some large sandstone outcrops that border the wash. We stayed high until a mess of trails head down toward the wash. We took a trail that leads down to the bottom of the waterslide. We have always slid down the slide when the gravel bottom was high enough. Today, the gravel bottom was very low and we were tackling the waterslide for our first ascent. There are a few "steps" offered on its left side!

Above the wash on the Calico Overlook Trail

Dropping down to the Waterslide Base

Climbing up the Waterslide

Climbing out of the Wash

Stoked that we got up the first difficult scramble, we followed the wash on around and ran into some rock climbers that we know. After a few words of greeting, we turned to the right and started our first major ascent. The ascent canyon began with a bang right across from where the climbers were scaling the wall. After reaching the top of the first climb, we wandered back and forth looking for the next climb. We chose a route and got to the next level. Finally, we found the Wave Formation "half tunnel" that begins the complete canyon ascent. The color designs of the Wave Formation are unusual. Next, the climb up continued with one 2.5-3rd class climb after another. We moved from right to left and back within the narrow canyon.

Inside the Wave Formation

Designs at the Wave Formation

Ascent Wash

Balancing in the Ascent Wash

Challenging is a good word for this section of the scramble. Twice, we were obliged to climb a narrow fin balancing precariously. There were also several places where we had to push ourselves up narrow high step ups. This was great fun and we worked safely and methodically. At the same time, our spirits were high and we laughed all the while. At the top of this canyon, we found ourselves at the Big Boulder break spot. This boulder is extremely large and is separated from the adjacent rock appearing as if it could easily tilt off the side of the mountain during the next earthquake! Due to bad lighting, I do not have a photo to share. We took our break and group photo here then turned to move on toward the south. Not far from the break saddle is found the Grand Staircase of the Calico Hills. I have used this route for a descent several times. But, today, we continued to the south to first reach Red Spring Peak. This peak is diminutive and is comprised of only a largish boulder. Near the peak, we found a "trail" leading south and seeing that it continued strongly, we followed it ... all the way down! During the descent, we had many scrambles to contend with. What a hoot! There were two rabbit holes. There were very large boulders. And, there were very colorful sections.

Four on the top of the Ridge

Crossing up to Red Spring Peak

Red Spring Peak (4295')

View down ridge to Secondary Peak

We reached the secondary peak quickly. It is only around 40ish feet lower than the previous peak. Up and over and down through chutes. Then, about halfway down the ridge, the trail traversed to the left and continued down a southeast ridge. We kept thinking that we would run out of luck and end at a cliff! We didn't! Finally, we came to a down climb chute that spilled out right at the exact spot we wanted ... near the Calico Overlook. This overlook, is at the top of a saddle that rises above the Red Spring boardwalk. The view of Calico Basin, Dragon Peak, and the Calico Hills is outstanding. We took a breath and congratulated ourselves for reaching terra firma. 

Fantastical Color

Great Hikers!

Following the Descent Trail

Destination in View

Next, we headed south on the rocky trail that descends into the wash. There is a better parallel trail that can be used on the left side of the rocky one. At the wash, we turned left onto an old road that crisscrosses the wash as it leads out to Calico Basin Road and the trailhead. It was a great morning of scrambling and laughing! Worth repeating!

Stats: 4.3 miles; 1150' gain; 4.25 hours

Last Drop

Crossing over to the Calico Overlook

The Old Road leading back to Trailhead