Beauty in every direction!
Calico Basin is the exit right before the exit for Red Rock Canyon. It's also free for those who aren't interested in paying the small fee into Red Rock (I still recommend you pay the fee because the scenic drive is beautiful). But if you aren't interested in Red Rock this road has free hiking trails and offers many beautiful spots.
We decided to drive to the very end of the road and ended up near Ash Canyon and Kraft Canyon. There are trails in every direction including the other side of Red Rock Canyon. We decided to head towards Ash Canyon because it was so beautiful and with each step it kept getting better & better.
The trail begins like most, pretty easy and once you get off the main road you find yourself in a large field with dead trees this time of year and a very cold creek. In the shaded areas the grass & plants had frost on them and it's amazing how the temperature would change depending on where the sun would hit the trail. At times we were sweaty & hot and others we were cold. As you get closer to climbing up the canyon the scenery continues to change and it's pretty amazing. Soon enough you find yourself climbing up rocks to get higher & higher.
Speaking of higher ~ we encountered just a few other people on this trail and a few of the guys were getting high up in the mountains. If we weren't with our kid we would have joined them :)
We loved getting out & exploring and Ash Canyon is stunning. It's also a great option for those who don't want to be bothered by crowds. This place is like a hidden gem with very few visiting it, especially this time of year. On the other side in Red Rock it's still very busy so take advantage of these trails for peaceful moments away from the world.
There's also a meditation circle you shouldn't miss. Spend a few quiet minutes there and you'll see how much better you feel :)