Calico Basin - The Wall

Yep - more greenery. That's something Vegas lacks, so many of the locations I treasure are green and give a more "out in nature" feel than our typical desert surroundings. This wall is brilliant, and only a 5 minute walk.



Calico Basin is a popular spot for hikers and photographers that want the feel of Red Rock, without having to spend the entrance fee to the park. Little do many know, that five minutes into the traditional hike, there's a little offshoot that leads to this place.

The wall itself is gorgeous, with moss and green stuff along the bottom... it can provide a quite nice set for a couple different looks. Within this little hidden niche, there's three or four distinct "sets" so it's a nice place to have on your list of locations.

HOW TO GET THERE

Head out to Calico Basin (it's just before you get to Red Rock) and park with the other hikers at the corner of Assisi Canyon Ave and Sandstone Dr. (don't park at the end, that's another trailhead.) Start walking up the trail, and once you get to the rock shown below, turn down that little offshoot trail. A minute later, you're at the wall. There's also a firepit, and usually some empty wine bottles or beer bottles from partying teens. If you can, take some of the trash with you, and keep the park clean (I usually bring a plastic shopping bag to take some away.)

IMAGE OF ROCK COMING SOON

Here's the general route you'll take. It's 5 minutes of walking, if that - click for a larger image:

 

MORE PHOTOS

Just to the left of the wall:

 Long grass at the rock you turn off of the main trail at.

 

The Wall.