Pink Goblin Pass - 4/1/26

Pink Goblin Pass (aka Kraft Saddle)

Fortress built on top of ridge in front of Dragon Peak

View of Guardian Angel Pass

Morning clouds over Calico Basin

Sometimes, we return to an old hike and are reminded why we fell in love with hiking in Red Rock Canyon NCA in the first place. Over the years, we have referred to the saddle between Kraft Mountain and Dragon Peak as simply Kraft Saddle. Somewhere along the way someone renamed this colorful saddle to Pink Goblin Pass. It is found in the peaks surrounding Calico Basin. A couple of years ago, I devised an interesting trail that looped up to this saddle and around through Ash Meadows to encompass the beautiful colors of Calico Basin. There are only a few homes that still retain the right to say they live there. We all envy them. Three Lady Hikers parked at Red Springs picnic area and started up the trail placed on the north side of the parking lot. Staying more or less parallel to Calico Basin Road below to the right, we made our way over to the dry bed of a large wash avoiding homes by staying in the wash. We had to deviate here and there from the original track since the wilderness people have been reestablishing the desert terrain in this area where the trail once lay.

Dragon Peak (survey marker of low ridge in front of peak)

5 Stop Hill from ridge Fortress (Pink Goblin Pass at Top)

Colors leading over to Ash Canyon

North Blue Diamond Hill in Distance

An old horse trail led across a small paved road and up to the small ridge that leads toward Dragon Peak. We knew we were on the right ridge when we saw the survey marker. At the top of the ridge, someone has built a rock "fortress" that suggests that we should descend off the end of the hill on a particular steep trail. We chose a less steep trail and turned right to hike down and up to Pink Goblin Pass. As we sat for our break at the top, we spoke to a couple of friends who hiked by. Afterwards, we descended the way we came until we reached the bottom of the small ridge. Here, the trail made its way straight across the upper elevations of Calico Basin. On the way, Amora was surprised by a small non-poisoness snake who was trying to find its way home with a large lizard in its mouth. (see second to last photo). From here, we hiked through Ash Meadows and along the base of the Calico Hills. There were a lot of visitors today and the weather was optimal!

Stats: 3.6 miles; 850' gain; 2.5 hours

View from half-way up 5 Stop Hill

Gray Fox Canyon in Distance

Some sort of Garter snake with its lizard dinner Catch (photo by Susan)

Calico Basin