Four Calico Peaks - 10/27/13

View from Grand Staircase of Calico Hills

View from Calico II Peak

Wow! That was a lot of scrambling we did today! Sixteen Sunday strollers came out for another Super Sunday Scramble in the Calico Hills of Red Rock Canyon NCA. Mike OC called the shots while Jim B. and Kay played first officers as we wound our way up, over and around the mid-sections of the red and white sandstone. Beginning at the Red Springs Picnic Area parking lot, we headed straight for the hills and tackled the Grand Staircase that climbs up a diagonal ramp against a rock wall.

View Near Red Springs Peak from Grand Staircase

 Views from the staircase were beautiful in the morning sun and the temperature warmed very quickly from the high 40's of the dawn.

Descent to Wave Wash

 We only came near our first peak of the day, Red Springs Peak. Instead, we continued over the ridge and began our drop down the other side in the top of the Wave Wash. At one point, as seen in the photo to the right, we had no choice but to descend on five points as we scrambled underneath a rock overhang. There were many other places where the writer used her rear end as a viable hiking tool throughout the hike. (She has the hole in her britches to prove it!)

Slot Below Calico I

 At the end of the Wave Wash, we turned right and dropped down into the slot that lies below Calico I on the Scenic Loop.

Climbing Up from Calico I Wash

 From the depths of the wash at Calico I, we climbed up out of the wash and on to the upper trail that leads to the Calico II area. This traverse was somewhat of a respite from the first part of the hike that felt a little like being shot out of a cannon! We made our way in familiar territory over to "Snack Rock" below Calico II. A short break ensued as we gazed at our next challenge.

Beginning Big Ascent from Calico II

 After our break, we headed down and over to the red rock ascent that was staring at us. This Big Ascent was steep and long. On the way up, we passed a few rock climbers and were careful not to step on their ropes .... (Inside joke.)

Nearing Finish of Big Ascent

As we neared the main Calico Tank which was just over the Big Ascent finish line, the red rocks changed to white. We arrived at the main tank and crossed to the other end of it to find a wash crack that leads up to the peak on our left. Negotiating the wash is familiar to us but it never seems to disappoint. At the top of the wash, we turned right and continued to the top of Calico II Peak where we sat and had our long break of the morning. ... Was it still morning? Yep!

Taking Our Break on Calico II Peak

 Calico II Peak was our second peak of the hike. The summit views include a good look at the Scenic Loop Calico II turnout below.

Crack Descent off of Calico II Peak

 After the break, we climbed over to the wall above the main tank (200 feet below) and descended utilizing the crack shown to us by Neal. At the bottom, we crossed over to the ramp that would take us up to Calico Peak. The ramp proved to be another steep climb. Previous to today, this ramp was used quite often for the Calico Peak descent.

Ascending Ramp to Calico Peak

 Climbing up the ramp, we were well aware of our already sore muscles beginning to make themselves known.

Various Views from Calico Peak

 At the top of the ramp, we turned left for a few more feet and arrived on Calico Peak. This was our third peak of the morning, (still morning?), and it was the only peak with a sign-in log book. We stayed here long enough to sign the book and take a few photos then we were off again. Our southeastern descent from the peak, seen in the two photos below, was steep and dicey. Another 200 foot cliff to the main tank was now on our right.

Beginning Descent from Calico Peak

 After the place in the photo below, five or six super hikers decided to take a really dicey drop above Ash Canyon. The rest of us dropped down to our right in a "safe" crack enclosed by two solid rock walls.

Scary Part of Calico Peak Descent (Big Cliff to Left!)

 Meeting each other at the tank overlook level, we began dropping down to the meadow south of the peak. This is another long descent that required much care ... and sitting and sliding. At the meadow, we continued straight on the traverse within this part of the Calico Hills. A lot of big boulders got in the lead hiker's way but a trail was still deciphered and we found the small crack ascent up to Red Peak, our fourth and final peak of the day. ...No, it was no longer morning!

Arriving on Red Peak above Angel Pass

 At the top of the short but interesting crack, we turned right, swung around the "stripper pole," and climbed up on top of the little Red Peak.

Red Peak, the Fourth and Final Peak of the Day

 We enjoyed the view here then began the last challenging descent of the day. A steep wash took us down to the Angel Pass summit then a left turn took us down the pass trail to the base of the Calico Hills. The only thing left to do was a trail traverse back to the cars.

Writer's comment: I'm beat!

4.68 miles; 2500 feet total elevation gain & loss

Finishing Drop to Angel Pass

Bottom of Angel Pass at Base of Calico Hills

Echo Canyon / Fossil Ridge - 10/25/13

Echo Canyon

Fossil Ridge

 Thirty hikers came out for a moderate hike on Nevada Day, a state celebration of Nevada's entrance into statehood. Under Doug's jovial direction, we parked at the Cowboy Trails parking lot and headed up to the upper part of the Red Rock Stables. After dropping down past the buildings and climbing up toward a large canyon junction, we took the trail leading off to the right into Echo Canyon.

Crossing Over to Echo Canyon

 The large group spread out into a long line and we meandered up the canyon dealing with its easy scrambles from time to time. The weather was perfect and would soon be warm when the sun climbed over the canyon walls of the North Blue Diamond Hills in the boundaries of Red Rock Canyon NCA. A half moon hung overhead. Conversation continued throughout the hike with very few hikers lost in their own thoughts.

One of Few Difficult Scrambles

 At the most difficult scramble of the canyon, there is a beautiful shell fossil, as seen to the left, that is found on the large rock to the left as you are going up canyon. Two miles up the canyon, we junctioned with Fossil Ridge Trail and stopped for our break. Next, we would return in the direction from where we came but on a slightly higher elevation as this trail leads along the side of Echo Canyon.

Breaktime at Fossil Ridge Trail Junction

 Our trip back to the cars was quick and pleasant. The scenery was colorful. Many of us tried our voices and whistles at the echo point above Echo Canyon. We passed a group of horse riders then continued on down the trail to the parking lot. Another great hike to start the day off right.

4 miles; 800 feet of elevation gain

Fossil Ridge Trail at Echo Point

Fossil Ridge Above Echo Canyon

Brownstone Canyon Loop - 10/24/13

Brownstone Canyon Pictographs

Color in the Desert

 So, what happens when the photographer forgets her camera? Hikers to the rescue, of course! Susan, Scott and Mike contribute the photos for today's blog on an absolutely gorgeous 9 mile hike around the Brownstone Canyon Loop. Jon led thirteen hikers out to the pictographs from Sandstone Quarry and showed us a wonderful and picturesque new route over the sandstone from Upper Gateway Canyon to Brownstone Canyon.

Climbing Upper Gateway Canyon

Climbing the Sandstone Wash Between Gateway and Brownstone Canyons

 We hiked from Sandstone Quarry and connected with the Rattlesnake Trail. At Gateway Canyon, we turned left and began the limestone climb up numerous fun dry falls. At the top of the canyon, we met red and yellow sandstone decorated with foliage in fall colors. Above us, there were some darkish clouds but they covered the sun and we were very comfortable. After a small break, we turned left and climbed half way up the colorful wash. At this point, another sandstone wash turned up to the right and here was where the route took a new turn for many of us.

Fun on the Sandstone

Scott & Susan Pose in Front of Vegas View

 Jon led us up the wash then gently over the sandstone past the large tank. Next, he led us down to Brownstone Canyon on a round about way that eliminated the steep 3rd class wash above the pictographs. We took our long break there after also inspecting the petroglyphs down below. It was fun learning new routes and exploring the sandstone in this area.

Starting Up Wash of Brownstone Trail

Quite a Bit of Flood Damage

 From the pictographs, we trudged up the wash of the Brownstone Trail and found our way up into the hills on the left. There was some confusion about which hill to climb but we eventually found the correct saddle and began the descent down Limestone Trail, a series of washes that became larger and wider as we went. The evidence of flash flooding was abundant in these washes and the hike was precarious as we dodged large and small boulders. Finally, we hit the widest wash that flows below Turtlehead Peak and finished out on the Turtlehead Trail.

Washed Out Small Wash of Limestone Trail

Wide Wash of Limestone Trail

 8.5 miles; 2500 feet of total elevation gain; average speed of 2.4 mph - We don't mess around!

Today's Route Shown in Blue