After failing on two previous attempts to summit Calico Peak, we are happy to report that the formidable red walls that surround this
most intriguing mountain have been breached!
All it took was a lone cairn that directed us to a “secret” passageway
that snaked its way back and forth through the different layers of sandstone
and “voila” we were on top!
What a great hike! We
thought we’d be able to find a way to the summit, but we were pretty sure that
the dogs couldn’t make it and that one of us would have to wait with them. To our surprise, everyone was able to scramble
to the top with little to no effort. And
oh, what a treat the top had for us . . . outstanding views, amazing rock
formations, arches, windows and even remnants of an old survey tripod. We could not have asked for more from the
mountain or the gorgeous winter day!
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| There it is . . . our nemesis . . . Calico Peak |
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The views really opened up as we worked our way up the west side
(The White Teepees & Peak 6760 are visible atop the faraway rim) |
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We spotted this unique arch . . .
Little did we realize that we would soon be viewing it from the top! |
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It felt good to reach the base of the cliff face . . .
From here we would follow the red cliffs north until we found a break in the wall
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We are beginning our ascent at a rock cairn we found . . .
We are hoping it indicates a possible route to the top |
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| Interesting holes in the sandstone |
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| We passed through this "secret" little slot |
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As we climbed, we begin to catch views towards the west . . .
Allowing us to look back at where we have come from |
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| Colorful striped sandstone greeted us at the top |
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| Ice layer on a small pool of water |
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| Looking through a fun little arch |
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| Possibly an etching left by the surveyors that may point towards a benchmark?? |
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The views were amazing!
Looking northeast at Powell Point off in the distance |
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| Another odd shaped piece of sandstone |
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Calico Peak Highpoint (5882 ft)
Notice the remnants of a survey tripod, to the right of the bush |
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Here's a close up of what's left of the tripod
There's no mention of a benchmark on the National Geodetic Survey Map . . .
In fact, there wasn't one . . . too bad! The surveyors were certainly here! |
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| Over time this wire, that at one time kept the tripod stable, has worn a slit in the sandstone |
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| A closeup view of the arch we spotted from below |
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| More neat formations just beyond the arch |
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| What do you think . . . will Tom crawl through this opening? Of course he did! |
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| Future Moqui marbles |
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| There were several iron reduction spots along the west side of the cliffs |
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| Heading back down into the wash where we began our hike . . . the steepest part of the hike |
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| The first and last part of the hike was an easy mile stroll through the bed of this wash |
We would recommend that you place this hike high on your
priority list. You won’t find one much
better . . . it is a hike that reminds one as to why they are outdoors exploring new places! If you’d like a
topo map and GPS tracks for this hike, please click here for a link to Tom’s
Peakbagger.com post. Altogether, we
gained approximately 1,100 ft over the five-mile (r/t) hike that took us about
five hours. Go find this secret passage
. . . you won’t ever regret that you did!
