Calico Peak Revisited

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!

There it is . . . our nemesis . . . Calico Peak

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)

We spotted this unique arch . . .
Little did we realize that we would soon be viewing it from the top!

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

We are beginning our ascent at a rock cairn we found . . .
We are hoping it indicates a possible route to the top

Interesting holes in the sandstone 

We passed through this "secret" little slot

As we climbed, we begin to catch views towards the west . . . 
Allowing us to look back at where we have come from

Colorful striped sandstone greeted us at the top

Ice layer on a small pool of water

Looking through a fun little arch

Possibly an etching left by the surveyors that may point towards a benchmark??

The views were amazing!
Looking northeast at Powell Point off in the distance

Another odd shaped piece of sandstone

Calico Peak Highpoint (5882 ft)
Notice the remnants of a survey tripod, to the right of the bush

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!

Over time this wire, that at one time kept the tripod stable, has worn a slit in the sandstone

Looking southeast toward The Paria Box 

A closeup view of the arch we spotted from below

More neat formations just beyond the arch

What do you think . . . will Tom crawl through this opening? Of course he did!

Future Moqui marbles

There were several iron reduction spots along the west side of the cliffs

Heading back down into the wash where we began our hike . . . the steepest part of the hike

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!

 

Calico Peak

About a month ago we had intentions of climbing Calico Peak, but after several hours of trying to find a viable route to the base of the peak, we gave up.  Today we came back (after doing some research on Google Earth) to try a different route farther to the west.  It was a good plan and took us to the base of Calico with very few obstacles.  However, once at the base we encountered cliff walls with little access to the summit.

Tom and Lola circumnavigated the peak and located a possible route on the east side, but further exploration meant leaving Lola by herself for an extended time - something he didn't want to do.  If we had stayed with Tom, and watched Lola, we're pretty sure (from the pictures he showed us) he would have made it to the top.  Who knows, maybe we'll be back a third time to complete a successful summit of this unique peak!

We parked by these formations and started up a wash

We are pretty sure this wash will lead us up to the base of Calico Peak . . .
But then we were pretty confident the last time we tried!

Slabs of this shiny rock were in the upper portion of the wash . . . Mica, perhaps?

This unusual red sandstone formation had a white top layer

There's Calico Peak (from the west side) . . .  Kent & Tom discuss the game plan . . .
Work towards the base and then head south (right)

Hey, Tom aren't you gonna share with us? Just a bite!

The scenery is absolutely gorgeous!
(Taken from the west base . . . looking back at where we came up)

Taking in the views of the Paria River Valley at the southern base of Calico Peak . . .
Just visible (top right corner) is Red Top where we were three weeks ago

We were hoping this chunk of sandstone stayed intact as we walked below it . . .
We are now heading around to the east side

Time to head up . . . it was steep! 

After an unsuccessful attempt at a route to the summit, we took a break . . . 
We decided to reverse our path . . . 
While Tom and Lola continued on around Calico Peak (we should have stayed with them!)

Kent, Allison & Chipper are heading back to the bench to wait for Tom

Tom & Lola will circle the peak hoping to find a route and meet us on the other side

Hmmm . . . Someone was watching us!
Hey, Mr Elf, have you seen Tom and Lola?  Yes, they are over that way! 

This sandstone formation was so fragile you could peel it away layer by layer

45 minutes later Tom & Lola made it back around to the west side

Chipper spotted them and barked!

Lola was looking for us, while Tom was still searching for a way up to the top . . .
It wasn't long until we joined back and started back to our vehicles

 Vertical layers of sandstone . . . all different colors . . . like pages in a book

We've never seen a pack-rat (the animal kind, ha!), but they build some crazy nests 

The walls of the wash were so amazing . . . different sediments, colors & layers

Interesting banded cliffs along the wash

These were some of the biggest and deepest mud cracks we have ever seen!

Nice view of Gingham Skirt Butte on our way out . . . 
For Tom & Lola it was a 5.6 mile hike . . . for us 4.6 . . . we should have gone the extra mile!  

If you're interested in making this hike and would like to follow our route, please click here to find a topo map with GPS tracks from Tom's Peakbagger post.
 

Wandering Around the Paria

The plan seemed pretty straight forward - drive to Kanab, meet Tom and Lola, drive to the Old Pahreah townsite, park at the cemetery (maybe this was a bad omen) and climb Calico Peak.  Sounds simple, right?  Everything was going according to plan until we tried to find a way up Calico Peak.  It seemed like every drainage ended with a dry fall or we couldn't get across a ridge because it became too knife like to safely cross.  After four hours, five dead ends, and almost five miles we called it a day - Calico had beaten us down!

Ah, but every cloud has a silver lining!  For us the pictures below will tell our story!  If we had made it to the top we would never have experienced all the unique ridges, canyons and spectacular landscapes we ended up exploring.   We'll be back for Calico Peak another day, but nothing can replace the memories we made as we wandered the Chinle formations of the Paria!

Once again we left home in the dark . . . look at this sunrise!

Gingham Skirt Butte rises up out of the Paria River Valley

We are headed for Calico Peak
(Click on picture for a more expansive view)

Wow, this landscape is amazing!

These toadstools almost seem out of place

Looks like dinosaur skin to us . . . could use a little Jergen's lotion!

And to think we were walking up above this cave!  Yikes!

We came across this interesting stalactite type of formation

Further up the wash we came upon a tunnel sized perfectly for Lola and Chipper . . . and Tom!
(Oh, we have the pictures!)

We are hoping this draw will lead us to Calico Peak

Tom quickly made friends with Chipper . . . does it look like he's begging? 

We found several pieces of colorful chert . . . very unusual and eye catching 

It was hard to get a picture of the three of us . . . but here we are!
Do you see the dogs?  They are there, too

A nice panorama . . . click on the picture for a larger image

Since the draw didn't work, Kent & Tom are checking out another possibility

This stuff was not only steep but very hard to walk on

So far, Calico Peak looks nearly impossible . . . so we're trying another draw

On our way to look for yet another option, we came upon this neat little canyon

Time for a Christmas photo
(Wonder what Tom's fees are?)

We followed this stream bed back down towards the road

This is the last straw . . .  Do you see Tom & Lola up on top?
Kent & Chipper are on their way up

Whew, we all made it up the ridge!

The Paria River flows off to the east . . . yes, it is a river!

Okay now we had a decision to make . . . Should we stay or should we go?
(Tom & Lola say "go" - Kent & Chipper say "stay")
Calico Peak is right there, but it is not to be . . . at least not today!

It was time to head back down . . . the dogs were tired . . . we were tired . . .
 Some hikes don't go as planned, but that doesn't stop us! 
We had a great day exploring some of the most amazing scenery in Southern Utah!