For day 2 of the weekend in Vegas, we did the Calico Tanks hike in Red Rocks Park. The hike is fairly mellow, ascending a few hundred feet to a pretty overlook and the very empty Calico Tanks. The cavernous rock pits generally store water through-out the year, but there was just a puddle at the bottom. How odd!
The Calico Tanks hike starts at the third pullout of the Red Rocks Loop. It’s only a couple miles to the Tanks, and it’s about 3 hours there and back, if you walk at a moderate pace.
It starts in a wash, see Rachel above, and the hiking is over pebbles and golf ball sized rocks. There are a few interpretive signs, which provide an educational history of the place.
Here’s a picture of Emma, with a view of Turtle Peak in the background:
The trail then turns right (east-ish) and heads up a wide mouthed gully. The trail meanders among shrubs and at times is sandy like a beach.
Here’s one of my favorite climbing crags in Red Rocks…the Holiday Wall. It’s packed with wonderful 5.11s, each one fun and well protected. It gets morning to early afternoon sun (so it’s great for winter/spring jaunts). The trail to Calico Tanks goes right by it, and on the day we were there, it was void of climbers. Too cold & windy, I suppose!
The last phase of the hike climbs red, pink, and beige sandstone rock steps, and rises to the tanks.
Here’s Emma enjoying the view of Vegas at the end!
Later that night…
Tags: Calico Tanks, Day Hike, NV, Red Rocks