Calico I Scramble v Red Spring - 8/27/23

Taking a break up on the Red Rocks

Narrows to Dry Fall

The Wash

Overlook

Eleven hikers started from the Red Springs Picnic Area parking lot early in the morning. Yes, the Spring Mountains are still closed. Yes, there are rumors. But, until I feel comfortable, I will not be recommending any hikes in higher elevations. So, early in the morning just before 6am (we weren't the only ones there!), we started our hike by walking up and around the boardwalk and climbing up to the overlook above on the Red Spring Ridge Trail. We descended the trail about halfway then took a right onto a trail that crosses under the balanced rock and on down to the petroglyph area. This trail is called the Lower Calico Hills Trail (aka the South Calico Hills Trail). The trail continues along the base of the red rock above and drops into the wash. It continues across the wash, however today, we turned to the right and started hiking up the wash. 

No Filter! The sun coming Up

Waiting in the Wash

Arch along Trail

Scramble down from Trail to Gulley

Sometimes, we would use the wash to travel and sometimes when the scramble got tough, we would follow the trail on the left side of the wash. We made it all the way up to the Calico I Overlook then followed the trail down the other side to climb up the hill on the right. It would be a short hike, so we didn't mind the effort. Still slightly cool in the shade, we knew that it would be hot by the time we returned to the cars. We chose the lower ridge trail to the right and found a scramble drop into the canyon gulley below us. Aha! Several of us had never been in this area right under our nose where we see multiple rock climbers going up to scale the walls. Fun! Our scramble took us down to cross over to the second crack that led to the right. It is very narrow. We scrambled our way up the crack and started getting into a few bushes. Just when the brush got really bad, we stepped up onto a ramp that led up after a sharp turn to the left. At the top of the ramp, we all stopped for a rest and a morning snack.

Scrambling to next Gulley

Following David through narrow Gulley

Sittin' around on the Red Rocks

Ramp Down - Our gulley to the Left

While we were taking a relaxing break, a young couple who had climbed the rock hill near us, came by to ask us if we would take a photo of the two of them. Sure! Then, they revealed to us that they had just become engaged on the rock just above us! It made the moment on the red rock quite poignant! Afterwards, we finished our break and started down the ramp on the other side of the rock hill. This ramp took us down and back up to the trail near where we had dropped down in the scramble gulley. From there, we followed the trail all the way down and up to the Calico I Overlook. The trail took us back down to a point where we could drop into the wash narrows. This is where the narrows finish in a dry fall that is usually so washed out that only the advanced hikers dare to go. (There is a go around.)

Starting down the Wash Narrows

No slip Zone

The Narrows

David demonstrates the Dry Fall Descent

But, we had noticed on our way out that tons of sediment had come down through the narrows and filled the drop area during the Hurricane Hilary episode. You can see in the photo to the left that the drop was very doable. We continued down the wash noting the tadpoles in the small wash pools. There were also hummingbird moths flying around enjoying the water. Once we connected with the Lower Calico Hills Trail again, we started feeling the real heat of the morning. Out of the shade, we became more serious about the speed of the pace. That last climb up to the Red Springs Ridge Overlook was enough to almost do us in! But, it didn't. Just exaggerating! On the boardwalk below, there were two different photographers with their clients. It was a beautiful scene at Red Spring. Wonderful morning ... albeit hot!

Stats: 3.75 miles; 700' gain; 2.75 hours

Sue climbs through the Rubble

Back up on the Overlook

Exiting by way of the Boardwalk