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| - Calico Basin & Beyond - WAY BEYOND!
Well, fellow hikers, I just want to point out that:
(1) There are other great trails beyond/around the "Calico Basin/Red Spring Boardwalk", and (2) There are also many other nice, NO-FEE trails along Hwy159w, WITHOUT getting into the paid official entrance area, i.e.:
- Trailheads are located along Hwy159W (i.e., W. Charleston Rd), on either side of the Official Red Rock Entrance. Over the years I have enjoyed hiking on those trails, multiple times, well, all but the Las Vegas Overlook/Muffins.
YELPY DETAILS:
1. Calico Basin/Red Spring Boardwalk - and BEYOND!
- ONE street BEFORE the official Red Rock Entrance
- Easy access to Trails to Gateway, Candy Stripes (MODERATE at the end section; 3+mi RT) and other Calico Area.
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/wildlife/RedRockBLM.html
(a) In this gorgeous area, there are several pavilions with grills; toilet facilities; and a gorgeous boardwalk (EASY, handicapped friendly; ~ 0.4mi per loop) built on top of a dried up meadow by Red Spring, complete with many interpretive, graphic displays of plants and animals in the area. It's an easy, pleasant and educational walk to enjoy! The boardwalk is handicapped friendly.
- For the MORE ADVENTUROUS, you can get much more beyond the Boardwalk:
(b) On the LEFT side of the boardwalk one can see a couple of short, moderate grade hiking trails leading up to the flat hill top, which is a scenic overlook of both valleys below! Rising from this flat top is another section of the magnificent mountain range where rock climbers and hikers enjoy exploring!
- Now, beyond this hill top, one can also hike down another short moderate path to a valley on the OPPOSITE side of the hill, where there are many fascinating, gigantic rock formations! From that valley, there's a trail leading to other Calico Trails off the paid scenic drive.
(c) Walking UP the trails on the RIGHT side of the BOARDWALK, passing by a small cliff, which is popular for rock climbing, one can venture out to the popular Gateway/Candy Stripes Areas (EASY/MODERATE, 3+mi).
- To get to Gateway, at a fork on a trail path, choose the left one (the mountain side). Well, the lower paths lead to other beautiful areas. So, even you missed the trail to Gateway, you still won't be disappointed!
Below is a link to the fantatic review by expert hiker, Norm K:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gateway-canyon-las-vegas#query:hiking%20trails
Now: -OTHER hiking trails along Hwy159w on the other side of Red Rock Entrance.
2. Fossil Ridge Echo Canyon Trail (EASY, ~4mi loop); and Muffin/Las Vegas Overlook (MODERATE, 3+mi RT)
- On the LEFT side of HWY159, ~1mi AFTER bypassing the Red Rock Entrance
- Its trailhead is at the entrance gate of the "Horseback Riding Ranch".Just park in front of the gate, and hike up the hill.
(a) Fossil Ridge/Echo Canyon
(EASY, ~4mi RT)
- From the gate, go stright first, then hike up towards the rightup the hill.
- My wife and I enjoyed hiking here tremendously: its spectacular view of the Echo Canyon along the way;the pleasing sounds of the birds from the canyon below; a cliff wall full of fossils of ancient small sea creatures; a closed gypsun mine at a distance away! You'll share the trails with horseback riders!
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/echo-canyon-fossil-ridge-loop
(b) The Muffins/Las Vegas Overlook Trails
- I myself have not yet hiked those spectacular trails, but I will soon! - See the informative links below for details.
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=796259
http://www.yelp.com/list/hiking-red-rock-canyon-las-vegas
3. Red Rock Scenic Overlook Area
- For breathtaking 360° views of the canyon on its parking lot or on its baby hilltop. Itsparking lot has 2 small, covered pavilions; toilet facilties
http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Red_Rocks/Trailheads/Overlook/_Overlook.htm
4. Oak Creek Trail (EASY, 2.8mi, R/T)
- Has a small tree canopied opening, good for picnic! Enjoy a beautiful view on top of the small hill.
http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Red_Rocks/Oak_Creek/_Oak_Creek.htm
5. First Creek Trail (EASY ~3+mi R/T, well marked main trail leading up to the Springs and the Creek
- Be amazed to see and hear the soothing sound of running springs! I did! You might be lucky enough to see the water falls, if you venture in further beyond the springs on a narrow path! Well, I myself did not see the water fall in late May, but did see a small pool of water in the main Creek, where a young family was having a picnic, and their 2 young children were playing with their puppy in the water!
http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/FirstCreekWaterfall_4120.asp
Peterskis, June 2012
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