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A short hike right along one of the top 10 climbing destinations in the U.S.


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Map Key

3.0

Miles

4.9

KM

Point to Point

4,314' 1,315 m

High

3,687' 1,124 m

Low

130' 40 m

Up

739' 225 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly This trail is easy enough for the whole fam.

Description

Calico Hills is one of the top trails in all of Red Rock Canyon. The trail starts at the Sandstone Quarry parking lot, however it can be accessed via the Visitor Center, Calico #1, or Calico #2 parking lots.

The trail is off to the right side of the parking lot (right next to the inflow traffic lane). The trail meanders along the fairly tame terrain (it does slowly descend) along the foot of the hills for a good 4,000 ft. After this, the trail starts to head uphill a little ways, before heading down again. At this point, you'll start to get into canyons, and be weaving in and out of rock formations.

At this point, the trail steadily loses elevation, but remains easy to hike. At 0.83 miles you'll find a rock with petroglyphs on it. Just a few yards past this you'll see the split off for the Calico Hills: Adventure Route to the left. If you are looking for something a little more challenging, and looking for a chance to get into some more canyons, switch to the Calico Hills: Adventure Route. If you are going for an easier trail stick to this one.

The trail branches to the right and follows a well-maintained path. The trail will start to move farther and farther away from the hills. This will give you an opportunity to see them from a distance. At mile 1.78, the trail will take a sharp turn to the east, as it heads up close to the Calico #1 parking lot. After this, the trail follows fairly close to the road. The trail ends near the entrance station, just southeast of the visitor center.

Shared By:

Isaac Bozeman with improvements by Tilman Giese

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 10 votes

#7226

Overall
  4.4 from 10 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#52

in Nevada

#7,226

Overall
15 Views Last Month
1,960 Since Dec 6, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Start of the Turtlepeak Mountain trail from parking lot.
Dec 3, 2017 near Summerl…, NV
Navigating the wash.
Apr 23, 2017 near Summerl…, NV
The striations are breathtaking, they also make you hungry for bacon.
Dec 5, 2018 near Summerl…, NV
Red Desert Rocks
Apr 8, 2020 near Summerl…, NV
Skirting the Red Rocks on the Grand Circle Loop.
Apr 23, 2017 near Summerl…, NV
Calico Hills and Turtlehead Peak from the southern end of Calico Hills Trail.
Sep 6, 2021 near Summerl…, NV

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 3 days ago
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