|
|
3.
Calico Tanks
: This is
more of an area than a trail 2.5 mile trail. The guide suggests
scrambling and route finding skills for this one and they aren't
kidding. It is easy to follow the trail for about a mile. It is marked
and there even looks like there is a trail for a while. Not to worry.
Whatever path you choose will be interesting and the degree of challenge
is completely manageable. This is one of the best trail area that you
can wander around in.
There are a few interesting things that you will see at the beginning of
the trail. Sandstone Quarry is a spot where sandstone in huge blocks was
mined. The cut marks are visible as are a few left behind 'blocks'.
There is a prehistoric Agave roasting pit along the side of the trail.
This was a spot used by the people who lived here in prehistoric times
to prepare the Agave plant for consumption.
Unless you want to get to the Turtlehead Peak Trail, you should watch
for the markers right after the Agave pit. The Calico Tanks Trails turns
east. This will take you through some interesting and beautiful spots.
After a rain, the water pools all over the place in the hollowed out
natural water basins in the red sandstone.
4.
Turtlehead Peak Trail
:
If you ever have to prove anything to yourself or someone else, this is
the place to do it. Do this 5 mile challenge in a hour and you will
never have to prove yourself in any other way. It is challenging and you
want to go prepared. Decent shoes, long pants and you might want to
carefully consider the age of any children you would want to bring.
Great vistas and its safe. Very Strenuous. Whew!
5.
Keystone Thrust
:
These are the rocks that made Red Rock Canyon famous with geologists.
The Keystone Thrust is a convoluted result of the movements of the
earth. We discuss this elsewhere, Keystone Thrust, but that would be the
point of this hike. It takes you to a close-up of the Keystone Thrust
Fault where the gray limestone meets the reds and yellows of the
sandstone. Or you can see it from Las Vegas in the western mountains.
It starts at the White Rock Spring parking lot. It loops through some
uphill climbing and a canyon. It takes about 45 minutes and the climbs
are only moderate.
6.
White Rock To Willow Springs
White Rock To Willow Springs
White Rock To Willow Springs
:
A relatively long trail that takes you by a man made water hole called a
guzzler - presumably for the locals - and across the side of a hill.
Finally you end up in the Willow Springs area. When you are done
wondering why you didn't go to the Willow Springs area in the first
place, you get to march back over the same trail.
7.
White Rock / La Madre Springs
Loop
White Rock / La Madre Springs
Loop
White Rock / La Madre Springs
Loop
: This 6 mile trail is basically a circumnavigation of White
Rock or the White Rock Hills. It can be started from White Rock or if
you prefer, Willow Springs. If you are going to do just this trail, the
parking at White Rock might be easier. It takes you through a lot. There
are petroglyphs, an Agave roasting pit. You get an interesting look
behind some of the mountains at Red Rock. Only to find that there are
more mountains behind them. Between them are interesting stream beds,
canyon and rock formations. Most of the area is 'woodsy' and it is a
relatively easy and pleasant hike.
8.
Lost Creek Children's
Discovery Trail
: This is a favorite place to go. It is less than
a mile and the water seems to run year round. Although the walkway keeps
kids from enjoying it as in the past, it is still an interesting place
to take children. This place is a good example of how life in the desert
can flourish with just a small amount of water. The 'creek' eventually
disappears into the desert below showing graphically the typical
Great Basin mountain stream to desert pattern. This is really the best
place to take the kids.
It is also a good example of where Red Rock has way too many friends and
how to badly mismanage a valuable resource. The dedications on the
chairs are really tacky. Just another sign that Red Rock is becoming a
city park in some places.
9.
Willow Springs Loop Willow Springs Loop Willow Springs Loop
:
This basically takes you past the Agave pit, petroglyphs and Lost Creek.
It's easy and only takes you a few minutes. We should note that the
Willows springs area has picnic tables and is itself a great place to do
a picnic.
10. La Madre Springs :
Same as number 7 but only to the La Madre Springs and back. This could
be your backup trail name. If you start on the White Rock / La Madre
Springs Loop Trail and you decide to head back from La Madre Springs,
you can always say you went on the La Madre Springs Trail.
11.
SMYC Trail
SMYC Trail
SMYC Trail
: This
trail basically follows the sandstone escarpment that runs between Lost
Creek and Ice Box Canyon. Very easy and takes about half an hour.
12.
Ice Box Canyon
Ice Box Canyon
Ice Box Canyon
: This
is a difficult but rewarding trail. In the winter and the spring the
water runs through this canyon in small pools that break into tiny
waterfalls filling the pools below it. This is a strenuous 3 mile hike
over rocks, through rocky creek beds, under huge boulders, and around
rocky crevices. You are rewarded at the end with a spectacular pool that
is filled by a trickle down what must be a 1000 feet of vertical sandstone cliff.
Superlatives would only sound like exaggerations even though they are
true.
In the summer, the water disappears and it is not quite as scenic.
However, when the water is running we highly recommend this trail for
just about any reason we can think of.
|