Red Rock Canyon – Kraft Mountain and Calico Hills Loop Trail

Introduction:

What? :

This is a 4.5 mile long loop hike with about 850ft of elevation gain that circles around Kraft Mountain.

Although not so long it's considered a challenging hike and involves some rock scrambling. The walking down (or up) The Calico Hills Pass features a long and steep scramble.

Although located in the busy area of Calico basin and Red Rock park relatively, this hike does not get a lot of hikers.

Unlike Red Rock park road You do not need any permit or entrance fees to do this hike.

All of the above make it to one of my favorite hikes in the area of Red Rock Canyon.

The trail will lead you into 2 canyons of the colorful Calico Hills and Kraft Mountain is the highlight of this hike, as you can view the colorful sandstone rocks.

You may see many rock and boulders climbers, as this is a popular spot for climbing.

Where? :

The park is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, about 30 minutes’ drive, on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159.

The area of the trailhead called Calico Basin is a hill area created from sand dunes rocks that after many years of erosion created Aztec sandstone large boulders.

This hike trailhead is located outside the main park section, visitor center and Scenic Loop Road.

Drive out West Charleston Blvd, after 4 miles turn right onto Calico Basin Road, and then drive 1.2 miles to the Red Spring Trailhead and parking lot on the left. Turn right with the road, left and another right and drive all the way on Sandstone Dr to the parking lot on your left near the end of the road.

Google Map Link

When? :

The park is open year-round, but the late fall and winter months (Oct-April) are the recommended time to visit here.

Temperatures can average more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. If you are planning to hike, try to come early in the morning. The best protection against heat is drinking plenty of water and limiting exposure to the sun during the hottest parts of the day.

The park averages 294 days of sunshine per year.

Summer afternoon monsoon rainstorm is expected, be aware of flash floods and lightning.

Winter mid-day temperatures are the best for hiking, cold nights around freezing and mid-day around 50-60f with almost no rain at all.

More Red-Rock Canyon Hikes:

Due note 1:

Although located in the Red Rock Canyon protected area this trailhead is not located in the main park section, and you do not need to make any visit reservation or pay fees.

Due note 2:

There is a large parking lot right at the trailhead, but it can get full during weekends and holidays. You can park along the roads in this area, just make sure your car is completely offroad and not in non-permitted sections.

Restrooms are available at the nearby Calico Basin Trail parking lot.

Due note 3:

Cell service is limited, especially at the canyons. If you plan to visit Red Rock park make your park reservation prior driving here. If you plan to hike, download your map.

At the Red Rock Park visitor center there is wifi.

Due note 4:

Pets are welcome at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Pets are permitted on trails and should be leashed.

Due note 5:

The park and in many places along this hike is very popular with the rock and boulder climbing community.

There are routes of interest to both the beginning and advanced climbers. Great boulders and sheer rock faces bring climbers from around the world.

Stay off the sandstone when it’s wet (within 24 hours of rain).

Due note 6:

The Red Spring Picnic Area has 12 picnic tables, various trash receptacles and toilets. The picnic tables are covered with aluminum pavilions for shade and protection from inclement weather.

Due note 7:

The nearest restaurants, supermarket, gas station, are located at the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive, 4.5 miles northeast of the entrance to Red Rock Canyon.

Due note 8:

Wear a hat, dress in layers, sunglasses and apply sunscreen and bring at least 3 liters of water per person.

Due note 9:

Rattlesnakes and scorpions like to hide under rocks and in shrubs, be aware.

Due note 10:

Start early morning or late afternoon: Beat the heat and enjoy quieter trails.

My thoughts:

I really like this hike, the view of the mountains and the narrow canyons, the colorful rocks, rock scrambling, challenging steep sections and tricky navigation make it a fun hike to do.

You also do not need to have any park entrance reservation because the trailhead is outside the park main road.

The Hike:

This is a loop hike so you can do it in both directions.

Alltrails recommend doing this clockwise but I recommend doing it in the other direction, climbing up via Gateway Canyon and going down by the steep Ash Canyon leading to Ash Spring.

This is the way I will describe this hike.

From the parking lot the trail starts heading to the base of Kraft Mountain and there it turns right and starts to circle the mountain base.

Along this hiking section there are many large boulders that rock climbers can have fun with.

Keep walking along the base of the mountain and the trail starts to turn left and get into the opening of Gateway Canyon, this will be after about 1 mile from the TH.

Soon after an additional short hike in the wash you will start to get into the narrow canyon, here starts the first “fun” section of the hike.

The canyon floor has many large red, pink, orange, and gray Aztec sandstone and boulders.

You can see here rock climbers.

Along the canyon floor hike section you will need to do some scrambling and simple path finding around large boulders and small waterfalls.

After about 0.8 mile the canyon starts to open up and you have a better view of the mountains on both sides.

Keep walking in the main canyon wash and soon after you will reach a trail junction.

Here you can find a trail cutting over to the right, Pink Goblin Pass, back to the trailhead direction, this will be 2 miles from the start of our hike.

Hike up the wide river wash and after 0.6 mile from the trail junction take left into a large creek and start to circle Kraft Mountain.

The clear Rattlesnake Trail climbs up the dry creek for about 0.4 mile until it gets to the top of the climb where the rock color is red.

Here you will see the trail heading left, circling Kraft Mountain, into Ash Canyon and the direction of the TH

Note: The trail heading up to the right side will take you into the Red Canyon Calico Tanks area, this is also a fun hike to do and can be combined with much longer loops hike.

From the high point of our hike start the second “fun” section of the hike, walking and scrambling down the steep Ash Canyon section.

At the start of this section the trail is very easy to follow on the red colored rock but soon you will need to scramble down the tall cliff walls when the rock color changes to gray.

Overall, the trail follows the canyon from its north side (left when going down) but at some point you will need to scramble your way into the canyon.