This was my third hike at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada and I loved it. I got up at early at 4:00am to get ready and to beat the heat. It was supposed to be over 104 degrees that day. As I was driving to the Canyon entrance there were a lot of dark clouds in the sky and it started to rain. I also saw a lot of lightning striking vertically down to the ground. I had never seen this type of lightning before and was a little concerned that it may storm and I would not be able to hike. I was the first car at the Canyon entrance when they opened up. As I paid the car entrance fee of $15.00 the attendant asked me if I planned on hiking and I said “Yes.” He then told me to be careful of the lightning and I was a little nervous because it was still dark and looked like there was going to be a full storm at that point. Yikes!
1) The Desert Tortoise 2) Me 3) Calico Hills Hiking Trail Sign 4) Calico Hills Valley
I had previously looked at the hike and trail map options and decided I wanted to hike the Calico Hills Trail. There are 26 marked hikes and trails of varying difficulties and distances at Red Rock Canyon to explore. As I drove to the trail head, I saw a desert tortoise near the side of the road. I pulled over and stopped the car quickly to see it. I kept a distance but was able to get a picture of this endangered tortoise. This tortoise was so camouflaged that I am surprised I even saw it since the clouds kept all views darker than normal. It was so cool to see this desert tortoise since I have never seen one out in the wild ever before and I have been here twice before without seeing one. After taking the tortoise’s picture, I drove to the trail head and started my hike. It was so early in the morning that there really was not anyone else around. I think the early time, weather, and the COVID19 pandemic kept most people away which was fine with me.
1) Calico Hills View 2) Black-Tailed Jackrabbit 3) Me 4) Red Rock Canyon Mountain View
The Calico Hills six mile round trip hike starts with some steep downhills and uphills before it settles to a more moderate rolling hills winding type of trail pathway. After about a quarter mile I noticed this large jackrabbit with BIG ears to my left. The jackrabbit hopped away but I was able to get some pictures of it sitting and eating some shrubs. I also got a short video of it hopping away. At this point, I was very pleased to have seen the desert tortoise and a jackrabbit so early into my hike. I did not see any animals during my prior Red Rock Canyon hike to Calico Tanks so this was making up for that big time already. I noticed some side trails that went off the main trail further down lower into a smaller parallel ravine area. Later on my way back, I saw that some people took these other trails and were taking pictures and just talking in this lower area which looked fun to explore as well. I pretty much stayed on the main trail which runs parallel to the Scenic Drive Road but far enough away not to notice it all. My prior hikes to La Madre Springs and Calico Tanks head directly out and away from the Scenic Drive Road and trail heads.
Further into the hike, maybe at about a mile and a half, I was unsure where to go on the trail but eventually found a trail marker. Luckily I guessed right. The trail markers are poles with arrow heads shaped line a sideways “V” that point you in the right direction for the main trail. There are also trail markers that are round wire fencing filled with large rocks inside them and you follow these as well. I saw some great scenery in the rock formations and desert vistas along the trail. The rocks are red with a mix of other colors like tan and brown blended together running in line rows. Sometimes the patterns and colors make the rocks as if they are not even real and much more like a painting or drawing. The trail path is pretty easy to walk on but there are also some parts where you have to scale up and down rocks but it is all very doable. If I can do it…then ANYONE can do it. I walked over several lines of these larger black ants towards the beginning of the hike. I also saw lots of scat on the main trail path that all seemed to have the same colors and consistency of red seeds or berries. I just assumed it was from coyotes since there was so much of it over the entire trail but I’m not sure. I did not see any coyotes but assume they are out there. After winding around the hills, by a sinister dead looking tree, and large cube like red rock the hike ends at a second parking trail head where I just turned around and headed back to my starting point to complete the full six mile round trip hike. I passed some people on the way back but they were heading out the opposite way towards the second parking trail head. I made sure to put my mask on when I came close to others on the trail. Some people also wore masks while others did not.
Even though I had just walked the three mile trail one way, the three miles back seemed almost like a different hike because seeing the views and rock formations from the opposite direction made for a whole new hike from a view and vantage perception. On the way back, I just saw some blue birds with twigs in their beaks on some dead tree branches. I didn’t see any other animals after the blue birds in the dead looking trees. For the most part, the hike was very comfortable and cooler in temperature because of all the cloud cover and a nice breeze. It really was not very humid at all which surprised me. When I was done and getting back into my car, I started to feel the heavy heat start to kick in. I completed the hike just at the right time. I took a pack with some Powerade and protein bars but really did not need them since it was so cool.
Overall, I really enjoyed this somewhat easy hike mainly because I got to see the desert tortoise and jackrabbit right from the start. The valley mountain views and rock formations were spectacular and being alone on the trail was an added bonus. The morning cool temperature was key to making the hike very comfortable considering the high for the day was about 104 degrees later in the afternoon. I would recommend this hike for a first time visit since it has great views and is not difficult at all. As I noted, the hike runs near the Scenic Drive Road so there is really no way of getting lost as long as you stay on the main trail and use common sense. I would definitely do the Calico Hills hike again and take some of the other paths off the main trail that go lower into the ravine and explore there. After spending so many months in quarantine due to the COVID19 pandemic, this was a fun trip to get outside, be away from city life, and explore nature. I have posted some of my favorite pictures and a couple videos from this hike. Enjoy the spectacular views and try to visit Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada if you get the chance. I have listed the Red Rock Canyon contact information below. Cheers!
Various trail views from the Calico Hills hike.
TOP: 1) Calico Hills Trail Rock 2) Animal Scat All Along The Main Trail 3) Calico Hills Trail Marker 4) Me
BOTTOM: 1) Me With Mask 2) Calico Hills Trail Canyon Rock 3) Red Rock Canyon Mountain Across From Calico Hills Trail 4) Red Rock Canyon Entrance
Red Rock Canyon and the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center are located at:
1000 Scenic Loop Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89161
General Information & Questions: 1-702-515-5350
Programs & Guided Hikes: 1-702-515-5367
Elements Gift & Book Store:1-702-515-5379
Website: redrockcanyonlv.org
Great review of the trail. Will have to visit the Canyon some day. Jackrabbit would have been tasty for breakfast…
Thank you for the comments and yes you definitely should visit Red Rock Canyon some time. I think you would prefer the scorpion and beetles for a nice desert lunch with a shot of goldschlager. Cheers!
Great synapses of this park & perfect place to be during the 2020 pandemic. I can’t wait to visit here after seeing this entry & enjoy the tortoise & the hare frolicking in their natural habitat.
Thank you for your comments! Yes I highly recommend visiting here. There are something like 26 hikes and even these hikes have offshoot paths. The views are incredible and the landscapes don’t even look real at some points. Hope you can visit there sometime! Cheers!
Vegas! Seeing animals in their natural habitat is a win in of itself! Definitely a lot more to do there than gambling, that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your comment!!! Yes if you ever get a chance to visit there are like 26 different hikes and a fantastic Visitor Center. If you are lucky you will see some wildlife too! Buffalo!!!
Yes I love the handle…that’s why they call you B-Money…B$
Nice write up and photos Mike! The clouds look awesome! Wish we would have had cooler weather when we went. It was 98 degrees at 5 am, and almost 114 towards late morning. Definitely want to go back in the Fall or early Spring. My friend who lives by the canyon, said in the Winter, it’s really beautiful! Good job!
Thank you for the comments. I’m glad you got to visit even if it was quite hot so early in the morning. I have been there when it is pretty cold too and that is easier to manage for sure. Yes it sure helped me to have the cloud cover and cool breeze early in the morning for the hike. Let me know if you go back when the weather is cooler because the views are incredible.