Calico Red Spring, photo by Deborah Wall
Calico Basin/Red Spring Interpretive Trail
Calico Basin offers a mixed grill of the Red Rock area’s best, including riparian habitat, meadows, springs, and even some cultural resources, all within the area’s signature Aztec sandstone landscape. An easy way to taste it all is to take the Red Spring Interpretive Trail, which starts directly behind the picnic area. This will take you up a small rise and to the grassy bench above. From here the trail makes a one- half mile-loop around the perimeter of the meadow. This trail is accessible for wheelchairs and baby strollers.
The boardwalk was installed in 2005 as part of a restoration project to protect the environmentally sensitive areas. This way, visitors can still enjoy the area without disturbing the fragile ecosystem. Outside the boardwalk there is a fence to keep burros and horses from trampling these areas.
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Complete listing of hikes included in this book
Ice Box Canyon, photo by Deborah Wall