Calico Basin • Canyon Trip • Nevada • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Red Spring

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Was in Vegas for the Kendrick Lamar show (just kidding, that wasn't why I was there, but I went to it!) and decided to hit Red Rock Canyon for a little bit of exploration, since it looked like temperatures would miraculously be cool enough to do something there. So I headed out to Red Spring TH.

Started out with the Calico Basin Trail, then took Girl Scout Trail to Ash Spring Trail. Headed up Ash Spring, but didn't see any water where it seemed like the spring should be. The official map shows the trail ending here, but my map showed it continuing all the way up the canyon, so I decided to check that out. The climb up this canyon was a lot of fun, with a several easy obstacles, and seemingly hitting a dead end before figuring out I could climb over a small knoll to the "correct" route. Once you get out of the interesting rock formations, the trail becomes nice and smooth again, leading to a cool saddle area.

I originally thought I might try to loop all the way around the Calico Tanks area, but instead I decided to loop back to the east and connect with the Kraft Mountain loop. The trail down that canyon was enjoyable, and eventually just turned into a standard wash traverse with one small obstacle that would've been slightly more challenging to go up.

Once I got to the Kraft Mountain loop I climbed up to the saddle (can't recall what that saddle is called). The view down into the canyon looked really cool from there; it looks like the KM loop is probably worthwhile. Then went down to the Ash Spring area, and figured out where the water actually is.

Jogged back to Red Spring, and decided I may as well do the nature loop there while I'm at it.

	Ash Creek Spring	Dry	Dry
	There's water in the creek, but 100 yards or so downstream from where the spring is marked.

	Calico Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Water could be heard from the trail.

Red Spring

Quart per minute

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Nov 02 2013

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Vegas, NV

Climbing		Nov 02 2013
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Climbing	1.00 Miles	340 AEG

Climbing	1.00 Miles
	340 ft AEG

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Hikergirl81

I joined Mike and Jbeans for a very late start for multipitch.. we decided on Calico Basin and then basically camped out at the bottom, taking notes on why not to have two groups of four people each on one multipitch climb, and then deciding at the top to rappel instead of do the walk-off. It was very entertaining; we just regret not having enough popcorn. At one point there were seven people hanging off of one anchor, with one person preparing to rappel while another TR'ed up the face.. busy! We geared up for Big Bad Wolf when it was free. Great easy climb.. just wish we'd had more time for another. Finished up there and headed out for some delicious all-you-can-eat sushi up in Vegas.. great post-climb reward.

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Mar 24 2012

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Vegas, NV

Climbing		Mar 24 2012
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Climbing	3.00 Miles	730 AEG

Climbing	3.00 Miles	2 Days
	730 ft AEG

no routes

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We did a quick weekend trip back up to Red Rocks for some sunny climbing before it gets too hot. Camped out at Lovell Canyon on Friday night, then headed to Calico Basin for some of the routes there. Pretty easy day, but super windy! We met a huge group of people who had driven all through the night (and some through the day) from Eugene. Ah, Spring Break.

Camped that night in a better spot, right across the road. We got radio signal and tuned into the university station, which was playing blues, surf music, and Grateful Dead all night. We cracked open a couple IPAs and porters by the fire and had one of the best campfire nights in recent memory. Woke up the next morning to a completely trashed site.. turns out there are a lot of people who just go out there shooting up paint cans and trees. I think I counted seven trees that had literally been gunned down, and quite recently; the branches were still green. (Yes, I'm talking stumps.)

Seriously, people? We cleaned up a couple bags of trash, but there were TVs, computers, and all sorts of crap lying around everywhere. So sad.

Headed out to the second pullout on the loop, and the girls headed to Magic Bus while the boys hit up something a little farther away. I got a nice easy lead climb in, but because of the wind I was pumped halfway up. Cleaned up a 5.9 next to it, then headed out to Cali 12a for some lunch and to watch everyone else climb.

I love this area.. so glad it's so close to here.

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Tafoni

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Jan 15 2011

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Vegas, NV

Climbing		Jan 15 2011
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Climbing

Climbing		3 Days

no routes

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Hikergirl81

It was decided that for my birthday, an adventure weekend must be had. We didn't want to go "just anywhere," so decided that since a lot of people had a 3-day weekend for MLK day, Red Rocks would be the perfect place to celebrate. And since Vegas camping is so lousy, we thought it would be best to class it up a bit by staying at the cheapest hotels we could find. Much warmer, quieter (well, sometimes), and comfier than sleeping at the campsites under wind and constant jet noise.

Day 1: We woke up "early" and had breakfast at the Pancake House. Yum! Then headed to Red Rocks. Figured it was going to be crowded due to no fee weekend, but were pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't so bad. I got to start using my brand new Grigri right away, and belayed JB up a route (Chrome Dome, 5.9 - ???), then went up it myself. This route was on the far left of Hunter S Thompson Dome, up a chimney and on a steep ledge. Didn't much like the area, so probably didn't enjoy the climb as much as I could have. Then we went down to HST Dome and did some routes there. I have a new favorite! Squire, a nice 5.10c which I haven't sent clean yet. It's good, but the crux is an extremely awkward roof, especially for those with long legs. Ran up that one twice and can't wait for the next time I get to try it.

Day 2: After staying the night at a hotel with interesting nighttime ambiance (an extremely inebriated woman yelling "HEY YOU!" to any person within eyesight, though not necessarily within earshot), we went back to the Second Pullout and spent our time at Stone Wall. I TR'ed Roto Hammer, 5.10c -- LOVED it! Not as much as Squire, but still lots of fun! Hung around on Haunted Hooks, 5.10d, after that. Didn't like it so much, but that one is now Janelle's all-time favorite outdoor route. After a full day, we grabbed some pizza at our favorite spot (and I ended up with free 'sketti!), then checked in at Hooter's, intending to peruse the hot tub and have some drinks and maybe waste some money. I ended up having a couple beers and retiring early...... guess that's just where this part of the story's gonna have to end though.

Day 3: Everyone was exhausted and not really feelin' it, but we eventually got it all together and met some others out at Cannibal Crag. Note to self: Hostess Orange Cupcakes and unrefrigerated spaghetti leftovers do not make good breakfast food. Ugh. After I got over the initial insult from "breakfast," I got on A Man In Every Pot (5.8+). I did this one back in October and fell all over it, the day after my multipitch fiasco. This time around, I got it with no problems. Decided one route was enough, however, and ended up taking lots of pictures of Patrick 'projecting' and then redpointing New Wave Hookers (5.12c).

Perfect way to spend a birthday weekend. :y:

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Common side-blotched lizard

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Jan 15 2011

Hikergirl81

Photos 1,529
Triplogs 112

44 female

Joined Mar 03 2009
Flagstaff, AZ

Vegas, NV

Climbing		Jan 15 2011
		Hikergirl81 • Triplogs 112

Climbing

Climbing		3 Days

no routes

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juliachaos

Oh, I loved reading Liz's description of our red rocks trip. It was such a great trip! We went for her birthday and she really succeeded in her climbing this trip. She seemed to move easily on the sandstone and we both found climbs that were our favorite outdoor climbs. Mine was a 5.10b that we warmed up on day 2. It was tricky and technical, but had nice big hold near the clips. I like that in a climb! Falling with all of that slack out, while making a clip, is NO BUENO!
I had hoped for a "party type" Vegas outing but we had kicked our butts climbing and we all were pretty tired. We put a few dollars in the penny slots and had a few beers; Liz and Brad headed back to the room to turn in early. JB and I were in a bar buying drinks, playing video Blackjack when it occurred to me; if we played at a table, drinks would be free! We were quite a team! (I was just helping)It turns out, even helping, they want to get you to the point at which you cannot add. The drinks were free so I think I had about 6 mixed drinks that tasted just like sprite... WHOOPS! We quit while we were ahead and went to bed. We shared a room; the boys in one bed, Liz and I in the other. This room had beds that were too small not to cuddle... Well apparently I thought so, after my earlier beverages.

Ha Ha! Liz and I were freezing and wet, for 12 hours, on top of peak 2 and didn't cuddle; but apparently things are different in Vegas! :lol:

I felt a tad under the weather for day number 3. I only top roped climbed, due to a horrible headache. Brad showed us how to get an awesome vantage point for climbing photos and that is how we finished our trip.
Liz's triplog was good for climbing details...
I had to break the "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" rule.
:GB:

Happy Birthday Lizard!!

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I don't have a computer… Not because I'm against having one. Really just hasn't been a top priority on my gear list.
I am now attempting to navigate, post, reply (etc..) this site with only an iPhone… Wish me luck!

Oct 23 2010

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Vegas, NV

Climbing		Oct 23 2010
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Climbing	4.50 Miles	730 AEG

Climbing	4.50 Miles	3 Days
	730 ft AEG

no routes

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Hikergirl81

A few of us met up for a trip to Red Rocks, one of the most amazing places I've been to for climbing. Met up on Friday and then headed on up for a fun weekend of camping and climbing.

Day One: headed out to the Gallery. Really nice area. Obviously, everything at Red Rocks is just gorgeous, so you can't go wrong no matter what. I mostly sat and took pictures of others climbing, but did end up getting a couple routes in. The highlight of the day was watching Janelle on a tough lead. A high clip and long fall over a boulder made this route especially heady. She fell twice but managed to get it on the third time after receiving a helpful tidbit of beta. Really exciting for me to see someone else struggle with, but then conquer, their fears. Nice job, Janelle!

Day Two: my first multipitch: Frogland. Mixed feelings on this so far. I probably should not have been holding the topo, as I kept going back to it and thinking about what was to come. ("Oh those moves were tough! Wait, what? That wasn't the crux? There's two cruxes?? And they're harder than that???") It comes down to: I thought I was gonna die. Okay, so we were well-protected and I was up there with two other very experienced climbers, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm terrified of heights, on a sheer rock face with sweaty hands, and 400 feet perpendicular to the ground. Plus, it was lots of crack climbing, and I struggle with that. Didn't help either when I looked up at one point and saw my belayer taking pictures while using an ATC. I was pretty well ready to dial in a helicopter, but my climbing mates somehow picked up on how uncomfortable I was (could it have been the tears streaming down my face?), and also noted that the wind was blowing in gusts and darkness would soon fall, so we set up to rappel back down. Only made it about halfway up the ~800 ft ascent, but I'm okay with that. Literally kissed the ground when I finally got back down to it, then waited for Janelle and Danny to return from Wild Turkeys. We all headed into town for a buffet, everyone else diving into the crabs while I opted for pasta-based meals and delicious desserts. Excellent meal, but I couldn't wait to get into my sleeping bag and just pass right out. Mmmm.

I did like the multipitch experience, but I'd like to try something a little simpler next time. The holds were actually not that bad, but the elevation was playing games with my perception and tore down confidence in my climbing ability. I'm thinking: non-slabby 5.7/5.8 with 3-4 pitches tops would be right up my alley.

Day Three: no one was really feeling the climbing bug on this cloudy day, but we all headed up to Cannibal Crag anyway. A couple routes were put up, and I jumped on TR on the non-windy side of the crag. Dealing with PTSD flashbacks from the previous day, I decided that one was enough and resorted to taking pictures with Janelle's camera instead. Then we all packed it in and went back to town to refill on gas and eats, just as the sun was clearing up the sky for a perfect climbing day. Oh well. Had an awesome weekend with some new experiences. And now that a week or so has passed since everything went down, I can say I loved every moment of it and I can't wait to go back.

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Feb 20 2010

Hikergirl81

Photos 1,529
Triplogs 112

44 female

Joined Mar 03 2009
Flagstaff, AZ

Vegas, NV

Canyoneering		Feb 20 2010
		Hikergirl81 • Triplogs 112

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles	340 AEG

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles
	340 ft AEG

no routes

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Just can't keep away from Red Rocks!
I love this area! This trip Ape Index owner; Amos and I organized a trip for members that wanted to sport climb in Red Rocks. The first day we climbed in the Black Corridor, the second day we climbed at The Gallery, and the Stratocastor Area on day three. We had a lot of fun and great climbing. :GB:

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I don't have a computer… Not because I'm against having one. Really just hasn't been a top priority on my gear list.
I am now attempting to navigate, post, reply (etc..) this site with only an iPhone… Wish me luck!

Feb 26 2009

AZLOT69

Guides 177
Routes 249
Photos 10,213
Triplogs 2,215

74 male

Joined Feb 12 2002
Gold Canyon, AZ

Vegas, NV

Canyoneering		Feb 26 2009
		AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215

Canyoneering	2.50 Miles	340 AEG

Canyoneering	2.50 Miles	3 Hrs	0.83 mph
	340 ft AEG

Basic Canyoneering - Scrambling; easy climbing/downclimbing; frequent hand use; rope recommended; easy exit

A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit

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Had a lot of fun negotiating these hills.

	Calico Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Water flow was impressive

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It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain

Mar 22 2008

Vaporman

Guides 3
Routes 4
Photos 8,687
Triplogs 931

46 male

Joined Mar 28 2005
Gilbert, AZ