Route: Calico Ridge Traverse (NV)

Submitted by Jason Hardrath… on Sat, 03/30/2019 - 02:36pm
Location
Nevada, US
Distance
12.5 km
Vertical Gain
1,000 m
Description

Here is a short, but technical, classic route in Red Rocks, Nevada. Hitting the six scrambling peaks of the South Calico Hills (leaving off the chossy Northern and seperate "New" and "Kraft"). The six in the order I hit them are South Ridge, Red Book Point, Calico Peak, Tank Peak, Red Cap Peak, and Point 4708 (as designated in the first two photos). 
Park at the Red Springs parking area. Then hike South, up and around to the southern tip of the Calico Ridge formation. You will know you are in the right starting point because you will be right below the locally famous sport climbing route "Side Effects" (Google or mtn project provide great images of this easily identifiable rock formation). The scrambling chute to the left of it is your first access up. Then the art and play of the challenge is to remain as high up on the ridge as possible at all times (in doing such you may make some exposed moves at up to 5.6 - 5.8 yds or you can take longer more 4th class routes) it is a fun and beautiful route finding extravaganza!!! 
After tagging the last peak exit through the "Sandstone Quarry" to end the scrambling adventure and run with whatever you have left in the tank down the semi - technical circumnavigation trail towards Calico Pullout 2, followed by Calico Pullout 1, and finally round the end to where you started at the southernmost point. 
(As this is a loop route, one could start from any of the 4 parking areas mentioned without changing the essence of the route) 

GPS Track