New Trail Route (Calico I to Moenkopi)

Trail at Calico I Crossing

Where old and new Junction

Susan Murphy, head of light trail maintenance at Red Rock Canyon, sent these photos of the new trail installation that runs from Calico I to Moenkopi Trail. Bushwhacking to the Visitor Center is not necessary but you must go to the upper end of Calico I to find this jewel! Thanks Susan and everyone who was involved with fixing the trail after the construction.

Reason for Re-Route

Windy Peak - 10/22/17

Mt. Potosi from Crack Climb on Windy Peak

Tree & Root on Sandstone

Windy Peak from Saddle

Passing Radio Relay Tower on Heartbreak Hill

 After South Peak and Hollow Rock Peak, Windy Peak comes in as the third peak from the south end of the Red Rock Canyon NCA escarpment. It is also the most popular peak to climb on the escarpment sandstone. As part of the Keystone Thrust, the escarpment sandstone is achingly slowly being covered by the older limestone. The limestone / sandstone line can be seen clearly from any of the peaks along the escarpment. When climbing any of the peaks from the limestone trails, this amazing line is crossed. Today, ten hikers began hiking up Heartbreak Hill from the Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead. It was a strong affable group that was in no hurry.

Trail to Fork

 We gathered at the saddle after climbing 600 elevation feet in one mile. Also at the saddle was another local hiking group with whom we were friendly.

Starting Descent to Windy Peak Sandstone

 We said our "hellos" and petted their two dogs, Gibbs and Abby. It was nice to see them and they were headed to the same peak.

Neighboring Black Velvet Peak

Las Vegas Strip

Our group headed on up the trail and didn't see the other group until we started back down from the peak. (Their peak reservation was for twenty minutes later!) We gathered again at the trail fork where the left fork continued to Mountain Springs Peak. We took the right fork and climbed up to the high point of the hike. Here, we began our descent down the bench toward the sandstone. Our view of the escarpment to the north and south were beautiful today. California's wildfire smoke had cleared with yesterday's wind and we had a clear view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Neighboring Hollow Rock Peak

 The next peak to our north along the escarpment was Black Velvet Peak. To the south, Hollow Rock Peak showed its little knob on the end of another bench.

The Crack Climb

 The front hikers reached the sandstone first and played around at the crack climb while the last hikers arrived. Yes, Richard is not in the "crack" in the photo above! It is the crack to his left.

Route to Peak

Taking a Break at the Overlook

 Once we were all above the crack and onto the sandstone outcropping, we hiked and scrambled along a well memorized route. The newbies fell in line between the oldies and we made it to the peak where the ammo box held a log book for us to sign. Usually, we stay at the peak for our break but, today, we all hiked out to the end of the outcropping for our break along the cliff. There is a little bit of shade created here by a tree and rock overhang. The weather was a tad warm and there was no breeze so the shade was welcome.

Views from Windy Peak

 Just as we were starting down the sandstone, the other group arrived. Our group followed each other down the same route we came up.

Descending off of Windy Peak Sandstone

 We connected with the limestone and climbed up along the bench to reach the hike high point again.

Climbing back up Bench

Descent to Fork

 From the high point, we descended down past the fork to the saddle and made the decision to finish the hike down the burnt ridge adjacent to the Heartbreak Hill trail. A small trail took us over to the left where we started down the bare ridge. At the end of the ridge, the route follows a fairly straight line toward the trailhead and the cars. The last little bit was on a dirt road where we turned to our right and returned to the cars. It was a great day of relaxed hiking and conversation.

5 miles; 1500 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours

Trail Descent

Taking Trail from Saddle to Burnt Ridge

Burnt Ridge Descent

Angel Carving Loop - 10/16/17

The Calico Hills Angel Carving

Calico Hills & La Madre Range

Calico Hills Wash

Lower Grand Circle Trail

 No one seems to know the real story behind the carving of St. Christopher (?) on the big block of sandstone in the Angel Pass canyon. We can surmise that it was engraved there to look over and protect ... who ... rock climbers and hikers? .... Anyway, it is very well done and we have no qualms about it being there. There, being, in a narrow section of the scramble worthy canyon where it is difficult to miss. (Even though we were concerned that we would miss it today!) This was our first time at trying to access the carving from the bottom since it is usually viewed on the way down from Angel Pass. Ten hikers, friends, showed up for the adventure.

A Pause with a View

 We parked on the bottom tier of the Red Rock Visitor Center parking lot. The morning was a little cool but we warmed up very quickly.

Southern end of Calico Hills

 We started down the Grand Circle Trail toward the fee booth, crossed the road and found the trail in its usual place.

New Stuff at Calico I

Following Grand Circle Trail to Calico II

 Red Rock has gone through some wonderful changes this last year. The scenic loop has been repaved and there are new parking lots at Calico I, Sandstone Quarry and Pine Creek. Is Ice Box Canyon redone, too? It was nice to have our trail back that leads from the fee booth to Calico I since it had been closed during the long construction. Upon reaching Calico I, we tried out the brand new restrooms, read the new info signs and admired the new cedar fencing that runs along the descent to the sandstone. Together again, we made our descent and turned left staying on the trail that runs closest to the scenic loop above us.

Sandstone Trail

 The group enjoyed their own pace and paused here and there to regather. Most of us knew our way around here until we reached Calico II.

Heading into the Wash below Calico II

 So, we dropped down to take the route that runs through the crack in the rocks in the gravel wash. Next, we came to the mouth of the Angel Pass canyon.

Turning up toward Angel Pass

Scrambling near Angel Carving

 A right turn into the canyon started an immediate scramble. It was light scrambling but it was scrambling! We wound our way through the rocks and the sand then started up the canyon. There wasn't a lot of elevation gain between here and the carving but the sinuous route had us going every which way! Yes, everything looks different when you go in the opposite direction than what you are used to. With a couple of veterans in our midst, we managed to find the carving much to the delight of the several newbies on the hike. We sat at the block of rock for our break.

And ... Action!

 After the break, we scrambled back down to a fun climb up onto snack rock. (Right after we encouraged the lizard to get out of our way!)

Climbing up to Snack Rock

 There was another scramble back down the other side then we started down the gravel wash and began following large cairns made with fencing and filled with rocks.

View from Snack Rock

Dropping back to Wash Trail

 Was it Susan again? Someone has worked on this trail that now seems to have become "official." After we hiked along the sandstone slab and worked up through a small crack, we found ourselves staring at some really nice steps! (See photo below.) We continued up to the ridge and, at the other end, we found the trail down to be much improved. Yes, it is still steep but the rocks have been swept away and the footing is so much safer. Next, we climbed back up to the new Calico I turnout for a short restroom break. Regathered, we crossed the scenic loop and expected to see the old tried and true trail that leads over to the Moenkopi hill. Hmmm. We knew it was here somewhere. ...

Cairned Wash Trail

 The crosswalk was there but, on the other side of the road, there was a whole bunch of graded dirt from the construction. We couldn't even see where the trail might be further out.

#VegasStrong

 So, in authentic AtBF fashion, we bushwhacked! Straight toward the Visitor Center. Ten hikers never did see the trail. (But, it did boost my confidence a little when I checked my GPS tracks at home and saw that we did, in fact, cross the road exactly where the trail was supposed to be.)

New Steps heading up toward Upper Ridge Trail

Reaching Upper Ridge

 Surely, the trail will be re-installed. At any rate, we skipped the Moenkopi hill overlook that we had intended to do, found the trail that crossed our bushwhacking path and returned to the cars on the other end of the Grand Circle Trail. If we had done the overlook hill, the hike would have been 6 miles instead of 5 so it was just as well. We all had a fun relaxing time. It's so great to be back in Red Rock!

5 miles; 800 feet elevation gain; 3.5 hours

Smoothed over Steep Descent

Bushwhacking

Y for Yucca