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Calico Overlook Trail
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Red Spring Trailhead; the trail begins past the outhouse (view S)

Overview

The Calico Overlook Trail is a moderately difficult 1.5-mile loop trail that runs south from Red Spring Trailhead. The trail climbs steeply to the crest of a ridge, the Overlook, then crosses over and descends steeply into the next valley. The trail then makes a scenic loop running up one side of the valley and back down the other. The trail climbs halfway back up the ridge, joins the outbound trail to close the loop, and returns to the trailhead.

Just climbing to Calico Overlook, with grand views north across the area and nice sitting rocks, makes a stout 1/2-mile round-trip hike.

The valley on the other side of the ridge is surprisingly scenic. This section, about 0.7 miles long, is the gem of this hike. Lush Mojave Desert Scrub vegetation and grand red-and-white sandstone cliffs combine to make this hike worth the effort of combing over the ridge.

Link to trail map.

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
From the outhouse, sidewalk leads to the trail (view SW)

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ... this hike is fairly safe, but the chance of slipping in the loose gravel on the steep hillsides is high, so trekking poles are a good idea.

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.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 25 minutes from town, but not inside the Scenic Loop Road fee area. Drive out West Charleston Blvd, turn right onto Calico Basin Road, and then drive 1.1 miles to the Red Spring Trailhead on the left. Park here; this is the trailhead.

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Approaching the trailhead sign (view SW)

The Hike

From the trailhead (Table 1, Waypoint 01) on the south side of the parking lot behind the picnic tables, the trail heads southwest parallel to the fence that encircles the Red Spring Boardwalk area. At about 0.16 miles out, the Calico Overlook Trail passes a trail junction (Wpt. 02) that leads to a gate and the side entrance onto the boardwalk.

The Calico Overlook Trail stays left heading more southerly towards an old road scar that shoots straight up the side of the ridge. The trail looks daunting, but slowly and surely, hikers gain the top of the ridge (Wpt. 03). Note that the old road forks near the top of the ridge; both forks work, but the right fork is ever so slightly easier.

The top of the ridge is Calico Overlook (Wpt. 03), so while catching one's breath, be sure to turn around and enjoy the view north across the Calico Basin area.

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trailhead sign at start of the trail (view SW)

Continuing south, the trail starts steeply down the other side of the ridge. The old road angles slightly left as it careens down the hillside. Several side-trails fork off to the right, but one of these forks (Wpt. 04), about 100 feet down from the crest of the ridge, marks the start of the loop. The outbound trail stays left, while hikers will return to this point on the right fork. Of course, it is a loop, so hikers can go either way. The right fork is also the Calico Hills Loop Trail.

Continuing to the left, the old road heads southeast, then bends right to run south, and then southwest as it arrives at the bottom of the canyon (Wpt. 05). There are a number of crisscrossing trails in this area, but the Calico Overlook Trail turns right onto an old road that comes up the bottom of the canyon.

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Start of the trail behind trailhead sign (view SW)

The lure of the enormous boulders on the north side of the canyon is strong, but the trail loops back through the boulders, so staying left-ish, the trail crosses the gravel wash in the bottom of the canyon (Wpt. 06) and climbs a short, steep, bank to get up above the wash. With a few feet of elevation, the boulder field is even more strikingly beautiful.

The Calico Overlook Trail continues west on the hillside above the wash. There are several opportunities to drop into the wash, but resist the urge to turn right until the trail starts climbing the hillside as if to climb over the ridge to the west. At a fork (Wpt. 07), the trail turns right to more closely parallel the wash.

While at the fork, notice to the northwest a white sandstone pinnacle that stands alone on the west (left) side of the wash. The trail runs out to within 150 feet of the white pinnacle before crossing the wash and looping back.

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs outside the Red Spring fence (view SW)

Although there are plenty of places to cut down into the wash, there is a trail on the south bank of the wash all the way to a trail junction with the Calico Hills Loop Trail, which is quite obvious at that point. At the junction, the Calico Overlook Trail turns right to cross the wash (Wpt. 08) and climb onto the north bank.

Now heading downstream, the Calico Overlook Trail runs southeast on gentle slopes above the wash. The scenery is grand with crags overhead and the boulder field coming back into view.

At about 300 yards past the wash crossing, the trail enters the boulder field (Wpt. 09). Here, the trail winds among colorful sandstone boulders that stand alone or pile one atop another. It seems that there are a plethora of trails, but the main trail is fairly easy to follow, and in general it stays to the left through the boulder field.

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail climbs stairs outside the Red Spring fence (view SW)

After passing the main boulder piles, the trail bends left and starts climbing back towards the steep ridge. The trail exits the boulder field (Wpt. 10) by an enormous square specimen standing alone on the hillside, then generally stays left against the cliff to the extent possible.

There are a number of use-trails in this area, but the main trail stays left against the cliffs until more-or-less being forced right onto the old gravel road (Wpt. 04) to close the loop.

In another 100 feet, the trail returns to Calico Overlook (Wpt. 03), crosses over the ridge and descends quickly to the Boardwalk Trail junction (Wpt. 02) and returns to the Red Spring Trailhead (Wpt. 01).

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail parallels the Red Spring fence (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail continues to run along the Red Spring fence (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail angles away from the Red Spring fence (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail approaching a junction (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail at a junction (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Left and right forks: both are okay (view SW
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Left fork is a bit shorter (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Right fork angles towards gate on boardwalk (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Right fork approaching gate into Red Spring (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Right fork at side-trail into Red Spring (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail continuing past boardwalk gate (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
In this area, please stay on designated trails (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail winds through bushes (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail turns up the hillside (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail gets steep (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail stays left at fork (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Not the trail -- side-trail into the rocks (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail continues steeply up the hillside (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail stays right at fork (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Somewhat more gentle grade on right fork (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail approaching the ridgeline (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail arriving at the ridgeline (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail atop the ridgeline (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Big View: looking southeast across Las Vegas
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Big View: looking northwest to the Calico Hills
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Be sure to turn around and enjoy the view: Calico Overlook

Detour: Overlook to the West

Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail more to come
More to come ...

Detour: Overlook to the East

Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail more to come
More to come ...

Continuing on the Calico Overlook Trail

Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail continues steeply down the other side (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The old road angles down across the slope (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
About 100 ft down, the trail forks; stay left (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Descending steep, rocky trail following old road (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Descending steep, rocky trail following old road (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The old road angles back to the right (view S)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Perched boulder hints of the treasures around the corner (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Looks like someone's head (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail forks again; stay left (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail descends onto the flats below (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
On the flats, the trail joins another old road (view SW)
Calico Basin Overlook TrailThis old road runs out along the wash (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail passes through what might have been a parking area
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail crosses the wash and climbs onto the south bank (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Short, steep climb to get out of the wash (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
An easy trail runs across the sidehill (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Curious root
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs above the wash (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs above the wash (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs above the wash; don't cut into the wash (view NW)
Calico Basin Loop Trail
Fork where trail to VC starts climbing towards skyline (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
From the fork, the trail runs almost to the white pinnacle (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs between Live Oak Trees (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs past a Mojave Yucca (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs past a boulder (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs along the wash (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail stays above the wash (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs between an oak tree and a hard place
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail runs past Catclaw Acacia with Mesquite Mistletoe (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail marker indicates an upcoming trail junction (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail sign: Calico Overlook Trail to the right (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail junction: Calico Overlook Trail curves back to the right (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail sign: Calico Overlook Trail to the right (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail junction: Calico Overlook Trail curves back to the right
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail joins Calico Hills Loop Trail (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Together, the trails run down to the gravel wash (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Trail crosses the wash and climbs out the other side (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
One last look back at the white pinnacle (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Easy trail below the cliffs (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Easy trail below the cliffs (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Easy trail below the cliffs (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
A nice place to sit and relax (view SE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail approaching the boulder field (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Entering the boulder field, the trail forks; stay right (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail in the boulder field (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Standing stone with passageway (view W)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail in the boulder field (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
In the boulder field, the trail tends to stay left (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
In the boulder field, the trail tends to stay left (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
In the boulder field, the trail tends to stay left (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
In the boulder field, climbing towards the last standing stone (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Dirt trail traverses high across the hillside (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Approaching the perched boulder seen on the way in (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Dirt trail traverses high across the hillside (view E)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Scrappy trail stays up against the cliffs (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail eventually angles away from the cliffs (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail joins another trail not far below the old road (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The slope finally begin to ease (view NW)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail bends right to rejoin the old road (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The old road trail continues up the hillside (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Approaching Calico Overlook (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Atop the ridge; Calico Overlook (big view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
View from Red Spring is a bit better down the trail (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail heading back down (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The two forks of the old road rejoin (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail heading back down the slippery slope (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
At the bottom of the steep slope, the trail stays right (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Passing the trail junction to Red Spring Boardwalk (view N)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Basin Overlook Trail Calico Basin Overlook Trail
The trail parallels the Red Spring fence (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Red Spring Trailhead comes into view (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Approaching Red Spring Trailhead (view NE)
Calico Basin Overlook Trail
Calico Overlook Trail at Red Spring Trailhead (view NE)
more to come
More to come ...

Table 1. Hiking Coordinates Based on GPS Data (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Hiking GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.

Wpt. Location UTM Easting UTM Northing Elevation (ft) Point-to-Point Distance (mi) Cumulative Distance (mi)
01 Calico Overlook Trailhead 642305 4001129 3,608 0.00 0.00
02 Junction to Boardwalk 642243 4000934 3,659 0.16 0.16
03 Crest of Ridge 642250 4000752 3,752 0.13 0.29
04 Trail Forks; Start of Loop 642268 4000741 3,715 0.01 0.30
05 Trail Joins Old Road 642294 4000583 3,600 0.13 0.43
06 Crossing the Wash 642201 4000567 3,604 0.06 0.49
07 Trail Forks 641999 4000585 3,630 0.14 0.63
08 Crossing the Wash 641829 4000741 3,655 0.18 0.81
09 West Edge of Boulder Field 642026 4000622 3,647 0.15 0.96
10 East Edge of Boulder Field 642217 4000623 3,652 0.14 1.10
04 Trail Forks; Start of Loop 642268 4000741 3,715 0.12 1.22
03 Crest of Ridge 642250 4000752 3,752 0.02 1.24
02 Junction to Boardwalk 642243 4000934 3,659 0.12 1.36
01 Calico Overlook Trailhead 642305 4001129 3,608 0.16 1.52

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240330

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