|
| Entering
in to the canyon |
 |
| Due to the recent rains, we did encounter quite a bit of running water on the trail |  |
| Time
marked in stone. Close up of the red rock walls |
 |
Vegetation growing
where ever it can |
 |
Be sure to look
back once in a while as the view is just as impressive |
 |
Final destination,
the largest of the Calico Tanks |
 |
View of Calico Tank
standing on the southeast ridge |
 |
Looking the other
way, view of the Las Vegas strip from the ridge top |
 |
Close up of the
limestone rocks |
 |
|
View
of Turtlehead Peak on the return trip |
 |
| Red
Rock Canyon, Nevada Calico Tanks Trail 12/10/04 Location: Red Rock Canyon - Near Las Vegas, NV Distance: 2.5 miles round trip (1+ hours) Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Elevation gain: Approximately 450 feet If you are visiting Las Vegas and feel the need to get out of the smoke filled casinos for a day, you might want to consider taking a quick trip to the outskirts of town and visit a beautiful place called Red Rock Canyon. This natural Disneyland of colorful rock formations and stunning mountain ranges is full of wonderful trails for every type of hiker. When my family and I were last here, we decided to hike up to the Calico Tanks near Turtlehead Peak. Unfortunately, we went on the Friday after Thanksgiving thinking that everyone would be shopping but much to my dismay, it seemed like they all decided to come here instead. Never in my life have I been on a trail with soooo many people on it. Need I say, if you want to really get away, don't come to Vegas!! Anyway, this is the desert so be sure to bring plenty of water with you and in the summer time, don't forget your sun screen, a hat and be on the look out for rattle snakes. In the winter time, it can get quite cool by dusk so make sure to bring a shell or sweat shirt if you don't want to freeze on the way back to your car. How to Get There From Las Vegas, take highway 159 and head west. Red Rock National Conservation Area is about 20 miles away. There is a fee of $5.00 per vehicle. Red Rock Canyon is open daily, year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas and Scenic Loop Road is open from 7:00am to dusk daily. Camping is permitted in designated areas but there is a fee. Once inside the park, follow the Scenic Loop Road until you reach the Sandstone Quarry parking lot. The trail head begins at the end of the parking lot by the pit toilets. There are actually two trails you can take from this point. The one to the left will take you up to Turtlehead Peak and the one to the right up to the Calico Tanks. On this trip, we came up right after some pretty good rain and even some snow fall a couple days before. Evidence of both snow and water could still be found along the entire length of the trail. Need I say, this made our hike amazingly beautiful but also required walking through mud and frequent stream crossings. The first mile or so of this hike is very easy and relatively flat. Beyond that, the terrain becomes quite rocky and some scrambling will be required in order to continue along the trail. If you loose the trail path, just follow the stream bed and you'll hook up to it again. Towards the end of the trail, stone steps have been constructed to make the climb a little easier but make no mistake, it still is a good workout. Once you reach the end of the trail, you will be rewarded with a large and beautiful pool of water surrounded by limestone rock faces. Need I say, this is Calico Tank. Continue up the path a couple of hundred yard more which will take you up to the southeast ridge of Calico Tank. The path is narrow and slippery so be sure to proceed with care. From here, look back and you will be able to see a great view of the tank and all the beautiful rock formations you just traveled through. Now, you can turn around and do what all the other tourists are doing, looking out over the smoggy Las Vegas strip saying ooooo and ahhhhh.... the irony is amazing. Be sure to spend some time here, have lunch and enjoy this beautiful place. I think you will find that the return trip will be much faster. Have fun and please let me know if you have any questions. Additional Note • Official Red Rock Canyon Website • Red Rock Canyon Trails • Red Rock Canyon Trail Map |
        |
