Hiking Around Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
 Calico II Trailhead parking (view NE) |
Overview Calico 2 Trail is short (0.1 miles), fairly steep that connects Calico 2 Trailhead with the Calico Hills trail system. Calico 2 Trail also provides visitors with a short route from the Scenic Loop Road to the edge of the Calico Hills -- giving visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the red and white sandstone crags. This isn't really a hike, but rather it is a connector trail or just a chance for visitors to get out of their car, walk about 150 yards, and have a close-up experience with the spectacular sandstone cliffs of the Calico Hills. Adventuresome visitors can hike north or south on the Calico Hills Loop Trail, or even scramble up into the cliffs. Link to Trail Map. |
 Calico II Trailhead sign (view NE) |
Watch Out Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ... this hike is pretty safe and not far from the road. There are some rocky spots and loose gravel on the trail. While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and please try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Even though this hike is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials (or perhaps just a camera and a water bottle). Getting to the Trailhead From town, drive about 30 minutes to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. From West Charleston Blvd at the Scenic Loop Road, turn right and drive north for 0.2 miles to the entrance station. Pay the fee, then drive forward and turn right onto the Scenic Loop Road. Pass the turnoff to the Visitor Center and drive north for 1.6 miles to Calico Hills 2 Trailhead, the second paved parking area on the right. Park here; this is the trailhead. |
 Calico II Trailhead sign; note "you are here" (view NE) |
The Hike From the trailhead at the Calico Hills Trailhead sign (Table 1, Waypoint 01), the trail runs down across the steep hillside with grand views up and down the canyon, not to mention the spectacular sandstone cliffs above. At about 150 yards out, the Calico 2 Trail intersects the Calico Hills Loop Trail (Wpt. 02) and ends. Hikers can wander either way on the Calico Hills Loop Trail, but hikers might want to turn right onto the Calico Hills Trail and hike a few yards farther until encountering one of several spur trails that lead towards the cliffs. Return to the trailhead by following your footprints in the dust back up the hill. |
 Hiker starting down the Calico 2 Trail (view NE) |
 Hiker starting down the Calico 2 Trail (view NE) |
 Calico 2 Trail runs down across the hillside (view NE) |
 Fence says: stay on the trail (view NE) |
 Passing the fence (view NE) |
 Calico 2 Trail approaching Calico Hills Loop Trail (view NE) |
 Trail intersection (view NE) |
 Calico Hills Loop Trail continuing northward (view NE) |
 Hiker continuing north on Calico Hills Loop Trail (view NE) |
 Hiker continuing south on Calico Hills Loop Trail (view NE) |
Returning to the Trailhead (southbound)
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 Departing Calico Hills Trail; heading towards trailhead (view S) |
 Calico 2 Trail (view SW) |
 Calico 2 Trail (view SW) |
 Calico 2 Trail; the fence says: stay on the trail (view SW) |
 Calico 2 Trail approaching the trailhead (view SW) |
 Arriving at Calico II Trailhead (view SW) |
Table 1. Highway Coordinates (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Highway GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.
| Wpt. | Location | UTM Easting | UTM Northing | Elevation (ft) | Point-to-Point Distance (mi) | Cumulative Distance (mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Calico 2 Trailhead | 640659 | 4001724 | 4,037 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 02 | Calico 2 Trail at Calico Hills Trail | 640620 | 4001854 | 3,979 | 0.09 | 0.09 |
| 01 | Calico 2 Trailhead | 640659 | 4001724 | 4,037 | 0.09 | 0.18 |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240329
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