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| Mike at the Wall Tank in front of Red Cap |
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| Turtlehead Peak from Calico Peak Ridge |
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| Kay at the Top Tank |
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| Following Mike out through the old Sandstone Quarry |
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| Calico Tanks Trail |
Please forgive the lengthy blog post this time. We had such a fun time scrambling in the North Calico Hills and everyone took so many fun photos that it was difficult to choose. So sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the hike with us!
It had been a few years since some of us had been in this popular scrambling destination so we just took our time and helped each other with some of the more difficult places. In the end, we spent 5 hours (!) on the rocks and had a bundle of fun in only 3.7 miles starting out from the Sandstone Quarry Trailhead on the Red Rock Scenic Loop.
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| Waiting for the sun on the Views |
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| The Hard Way |
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| Ascending Red Cap Peak on the descent Route |
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| Fab Five on Red Cap |
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| Descending from Red Cap |
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| Descending from Red Cap |
After pics, we descended from the small summit the same way as is the usual route, ... down the drop ... and moved back down to the tank level. First, we climbed up to see the Top Tank. It was green, not clear. But, we got a good reflection. Next, we moved on down and around to the Wall Tank. Also green with a good reflection, as seen in the first photo. Moving on around, we circled the Sundial Tank. I believe this is also called Turtlehead Tank since the famous peak rises just above in many photos. It was full of water but not clear either. Climbing up the almost vertical sandstone wall on the lower end of the tank, we continued up along the ridge toward Calico Peak. The Large Tank to the right below had water but the plants and grasses are taking over the usually dry tank. We made our way to the first high drop, the Diane Dempsey Descent ... or DDD for short. Mike, Jerry and Cheryl were all very helpful for Rita and I as strength and long legs trumped the short and the weak! We dropped through the dip and repeated twice as the ridge undulated sharply. These scrambles are challenging but doable. Finally done with the ups and downs here, we followed Mike and Jerry around and up to Calico Peak where we signed into the log and had a break.
We took our summit photo and started down still scrambling along the length of the ridge. There is one scramble that I usually try to avoid that comes next. But with all the help around for this hike, we all forged forward. The drop isn't far but it is right next to the abyss on the right side! (It's just creepy.) Anyway, right after this, we found the crack that leads down toward the main Calico Tank. It is also a good scramble and we had to wait for another couple of hikers to make their way up.
Red Rock was bustling and we never figured out why unless it was because, finally, the hot weather had broken and everyone wanted to enjoy it.
Down on the level above the main tank, we turned to the left and started down the colorful red and white sandstone where there are several trails.
Stats: 3.7 miles; 1200' gain; 5.25 hours
1 comment:
That was not too long of a blog, and I thoroughly enjoyed every morsel! Years later I’m still savoring your photos and words. You haven’t lost your touch! 👍 Susan M.
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