Calico Basin Springs Hike - 03/03/2017 Trip Notes

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This page last updated on 03/08/2017

(Fig. 01)

03/03/2017 Trip Notes: On this date it was a sunny day in the low 70's with no wind, the best weather we've seen in months. So Jim Herring and I decided to take advantage of the weather and hiked the area around the town of Calico. We started at the Red Spring and picnic area, that acts as a trailhead for several short hikes within Calico Basin. From the picnic parking area, we decided to head out on a trail toward Angel Pass and the Calico Spring (center of Fig. 02). Calico Spring is the middle spring of the three springs within Calico Basin.
                               

(Fig. 02

(Fig. 03) Click picture to enlarge

Along the way we passed several large rocks and cliffs where people were doing some free climbing (Fig. 03). It is always amazing to watch people climb up these rocks and cliff areas using nothing but there bare hands. Personally we think their all a little 'crazy', but each to their own.

(Fig. 04)

If you click on the images in figures 03 and 04, you can better see a climber working his way of one of the large outcrops that we passed on the way to Calico Spring. Even though all of the springs at Calico Basin have water running year round, due to the fact that it was still winter, there were only just a few signs of water that were barely flowing (Fig. 05). There was very little green vegetation and almost no wild flowers. It the spring, about mid-April, this area is much greener with more water are many small wild flowers and cactus blossoms.

(Fig. 05)

         

(Fig. 06)

Along the way we did spot a rabbit that had apparently been getting a drink of water from the spring. This spring is about the halfway point of the hike to Ash Spring. As we approached the northern edge of the red Calico Hills we were presented with a view of the large flat, open meadow filled with dozens of large Ash trees that is fed by the water from the spring.

(Fig. 07)

From the vantage point in the trail (Fig. 07), we had to climb down to the meadow and then follow the meadow due west towards the base of the hills to the trailhead of the spring. Once we reach the meadow we walked through the large grove of Ash Trees on the way to the spring (Fig. 08). When you go to the end and the head of the spring, one come to an area where the water just flows right out of the rocks on the side of the mountain (Fig. 09). From here we followed the 'stream' that has been carved out by the water from the spring along the north side of the meadow (Fig. 10). There are several pools of water along the way that are nearly a foot or more deep and even a couple of places where the water creates a few small waterfalls as it flows over the rocks (Fig. 11).
                                          

(Fig. 08)

(Fig. 09)

(Fig. 10)

(Fig. 11)

Because we had two cars, we parked one in the parking lot for Ash Spring and were able to drive back to the Red Spring and picnic area. When we got there we had a picnic lunch before walking the wooden boardwalk out to Red Spring.  Our hike for the day ended up being nearly 3.5 miles. The last picture of a quail (Fig. 12) was taken along side of the road on the way out.
                                               

(Fig. 12)

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Little Falls Trail - Summary Page

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This page last updated on 03/24/2017

(Fig. 01)

(Fig. 02)

Directions/Location: From Las Vegas, head North on US-95, turn left at NV-157 (Kyle Canyon Road) crossing over Southbound US-95. Take NV-157 up Mount Charleston approximately 21 miles to the summit at the Mt Charleston Village. Total distance from downtown Las Vegas is about 35 miles. Near the top, the road goes around a big hairpin bend to the left, winds up a hill, and shortly arrives at the entrance (on the right) to the gated two parking areas to the Cathedral Rock and Little Falls Trailheads (Fig. 02).

(Fig. 03)

Back in 2011, there were two parking areas on both sides of the road and these trailheads used to be located directly off of Kyle Canyon Road (Red dot on the map in Fig. 02). There used to be a set of stairs (Fig. 04) that led to the intersection of these two lower trailheads.

(Fig. 04)

Hike Description: Today, Jim Herring ans I used the old trailhead location on (Fig. 02) as our starting point. From here the total R/T distance of this hike is about 1.5 miles with an elevation of 700 feet. Elevation: 8,223 feet to 8,923 feet. From here, the trail runs southeast through a forest of pine and fir trees to the base of an avalanche chute where many logs get piled up by the winter snows. The trail ends in a narrow limestone box-canyon at the base of the Little Falls waterfall where water pours down several, impassible steps during the spring and early summer. This trail, much more rocky towards the end, is more strenuous than one first assumes. The waterfall is not very big, but does have flowing water most of the year.

03/24/2017 Trip Notes:  I have hiked this trail twice, today and once in the Fall of 2011. The pictures in (Fig. 01) show the area of the falls at the end of the trail. As we stepped off the road, the snow was still several feet deep, and in some places we sunk nearly to our knees in a few places. In the first part of the trail we were rewarded with several views of Cathedral Rock and the surrounding mountains (Figs. 05 - 07). About near the half way point we reached a spot where we could view the avalanche chute on the north side of the trail (Figs. 08 & 09). (Con't below)
                               

(Fig. 05)

(Fig. 06)

(Fig. 07)

(Fig. 08) Looking down the Avalanche Chute 

(Fig. 09) Looking up the Avalanche Chute

Trip Notes Continued: Staying in the trees and following the edge of the avalanche chute, the trail climbs towards a cleft in the cliffs above (Fig. 10). Near the cliffs, pines and firs are left behind, and only flexible trees (aspen, maple) and forbs that can survive avalanches remain. The trail ends in a narrow limestone box-canyon at the base of the Little Falls waterfall where water pours down several, impassible steps during the spring and early summer (Figs. 11 & 12). The blurry spot in (Fig. 12) where the arrow is pointing is the only visible area where water is flowing. The pictures in (Fig. 01) show the difference between my Fall visit in 2011 and today's trip. From this point on, all the water is flowing beneath the snow and ice build up in the canyon. There were several places along the sides of the cliffs that indicated the snow was nearly 10 to 12 feet deep (Fig. 13). (Fig. 14) is a view of the canyon on the return back down.
                                     

(Fig. 10)

(Fig. 11)

(Fig. 12)

(Fig. 13)

(Fig. 14)

09/08/2011 Trip Notes: The following seven pictures are some of the trail views on the way to the falls. The first four pictures (Figs. 15 thru 18) are of the trees and plants found along the trail. The final two shots (Figs. 19 & 20) show the actual water fall. As you can see, the whole avalanche chute is littered with broken logs that are the result of the huge snow masses that break loose from high in the mountains and swoop down the gully knocking down trees and everything else in the way. (Remember: clicking a photo lets you view it full-screen)
                                         

(Fig. 15)

(Fig. 16)

(Fig. 17)

(Fig. 18)

(Fig. 19)

(Fig. 20)

American Avocet (Recurviostra emericana)

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This page last updated on 03/08/2017

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: These pictures were taken on 03/16/2017 at the Henderson Bird Preserve. There was a flock with more than a half dozen feeding in one of the preserve's shallow ponds (Fig. 01).

(Fig. 02)

Description: American Avocet (Recurviostra emericana) The American Avocet is unique among North American birds. The avocet has long, thin, blue-gray legs, giving it its colloquial name, blue shanks (Fig. 02). The plumage is black and white on the back with white on the underbelly. The neck and head are cinnamon colored in the summer and gray in the winter. The long, thin bill is upturned at the end. The adult bird measures 16–20 inches in length, 27–30 inches in wingspan and 9.7–14.8 oz in weight.

In summer it can be found in temporary and unpredictable wetlands across western North America where it swings its long upturned bill through the shallow water to catch small invertebrates. Around lake shores and tidal flats, especially in the wide-open spaces, flocks of elegant American Avocets wade in the shallows (Figs. 03 & 04). They often feed while leaning forward, with the tips of their bills in the water and slightly open, filtering tiny food items from just below the surface. Sometimes a flock will feed this way in unison, walking forward, swinging their heads rhythmically from side to side.

American avocets form breeding colonies numbering dozens of pairs. When breeding is over the birds gather in large flocks, sometimes including hundreds of birds. Nesting occurs near water, usually on small islands or boggy shorelines where access by predators is difficult. The female lays four eggs in a saucer-shaped nest, and both sexes take turns incubating them. Upon hatching, the chicks feed themselves; they are never fed by their parents. This species is migratory, and mostly winters on the southern Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico and the United States.
                        

(Fig. 03)

(Fig. 04)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve - 03/16/2017 Visit Notes

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This page last updated on 03/18/2017

(Fig. 01)

03/16/2017 Trip Notes: This is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet and to view a wide selection of birds, waterfowl and some nice scenic views like those found in (Figs. 01 & 13). After signing in at the little office, I began walking the trails that circled its 8 ponds. Its two miles of trails run past two bird blinds, a pier like lookout that runs into one of the ponds, and a two-story observation deck that provids an overview of the entire preserve. Even though I was there early, around 7:00 am, there was not an abundance of birds. I did observe dozens of rabbits (Fig. 02) and an abundance of ducks and waterfowl (Figs. 03-05), and numerous Canada Geese (Figs. 06, 07, 08, & 12). (Con't below)
                                   

(Fig.02)

(Fig. 03)

(Fig. 04)

(Fig. 05)

(Fig. 06)

(Fig. 07)

(Fig. 08)

Notes continued: Towards the end od my walk, I reached the pond with the wooden pier. In addition to several grouping of various waterfowl, there were more than a half dozen American Avocet (Recurviostra emericana) (Fig. 09). The American Avocet is unique among North American birds. In summer it can be found in temporary and unpredictable wetlands across western North America where it swings its long upturned bill through the shallow water to catch small invertebrates. Around lake shores and tidal flats, especially in the wide-open spaces, flocks of elegant American Avocets wade in the shallows (Figs. 10 & 11). They often feed while leaning forward, with the tips of their bills in the water and slightly open, filtering tiny food items from just below the surface. Sometimes a flock will feed this way in unison, walking forward, swinging their heads rhythmically from side to side.

(Fig. 09)

(Fig. 10

(Fig. 11)

(Fig. 12)

(Fig. 13)

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