Calico Tank Peak | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Overview | Calico Tank Peak | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

I created this page and posted its video at the request of a climbing partner John Garner, in honor of his former climbing partner Sylvia.

Part of the beauty of that large tinaja near the end of the popular Calico Tanks trail in Red Rock Canyon is the sandstone cliff that towers above the opposite side of the tinaja. Have you ever wondered what it might be like to stand on the summit of that high point? That’s the second highest point in the Calico Hills!

While the view from the upper viewpoint at the end of the Calico Tanks trail is spectacular, the view from that higher peak above the tinaja is even more awesome! That high point is Calico Tank Peak. The video guide, map guide and narrative guide on this page will help you get there!

Directions to the Start Point | Calico Tank Peak | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

From I-215 in Summerlin at the Red Rock Casino, take Hwy 159 (Blue Diamond Road) West toward the mountains. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive is the 2nd turnoff to the right, about 4 miles after leaving Summerlin. You will need a reservation to enter the area and gain access to the scenic drive. Once on the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, the Sandstone Quarry trailhead parking area is the 3rd parking area beyond the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive.

Turtlehead Peak is one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Canyon. For this reason, if you don’t get to the trailhead at the Sandstone Quarry parking area by 7am on a Saturday or Sunday, you may risk having to park along the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive and walk 1/4th mile or more to get to the trailhead. In fact, in recent years parking along the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive is no longer permitted, so you’ll totally miss the Turtlehead Peak or Calico Tanks hike unless you get to the parking area early enough to find a spot!

↓ Narrative Guide ↓

Narrative Guide | Calico Tank Peak | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

“On this one Dave we took a left up the wash before the wash that leads up to the double slot route for Red Cap Peak. We got completely off course and just invented a route that took us to high point west of Calico Tank Peak so we had to drop down to Calico Tank and back up to Calico Tank Peak. We dropped off south side of peak toward Ash Canyon and took a long ledge paralleling Ash Canyon while descending. Our descent route is called the Red and White route to Calico Tank Peak. Amazing area.” –John Garner