Overview

The Grand Circle Trail is an 11.6-mile loop that starts at the Visitor Center and roughly parallels the Scenic Loop Road. From the Visitor Center, the trail runs up along the base of the Calico Hills to Sandstone Quarry, cuts out across the desert to White Rock Spring, the highpoint on the loop trail, then follows the White Rock Loop trail down towards Willow Springs, finally turning off and heading back down along Red Rock Wash to the Visitor Center. The trail passes red sandstone crags and rock art, all the while traversing open desert with grand vistas in all directions. Parts of the trail aren't laid out as well as one might wish, but the trail makes for a good winter workout in the desert.

Presented here are details of the Grand Circle Loop Trail from the Calico I Trailhead to the Calico II Trailhead. For an overview of the entire trail, see Grand Circle Overview.

Link to map.

Link to BLM Georeference PDF map file.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this hike is fairly safe, even for kids, but there are some short, steep scrambles through rocky areas near the Calico II parking area. Always be extra careful when you get high enough to fall and hurt yourself. Most of this trail is relatively well groomed, relatively free of rocks, and makes for easy walking. Be careful crossing the paved roads.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this is a short hike, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

The Hike

Calico 1 to Calico 2 (0.8 miles)

From the Calico I parking area (Wpt. 07), the Grand Circle Trail continues north on the Calico Hills Trail, which starts at the Calico Hills Trailhead sign. The trail starts by running due east down the ridge about 120 yards to a T-intersection with the Calico Hills Loop Trail. The intersection is not obvious, but the trail to the left is obvious.

From the trail junction, the Grand Circle Trail continues north on the well-used Calico Hills Trail. The trail descends towards the wash, and just before the wash, the trail forks. All trails in this area lead north towards Calico II, so either fork will do. The right fork, part of the Calico Hills Trail, climbs higher (better views, harder route), and the left fork stays low (easier and shorter). The Grand Circle Trail, proper, stays left on the easier trail.

Staying left at the junction, the trail runs low along the west side of the wash. The trail eventually begins to climb, merges back into Calico Hills Trail, and climbs into the Calico II area, which also has many use-trails that make it difficult to stay on the main trail, although some barricades help.

At a signed trail junction (Wpt. 08) atop a wide switchback, the Grand Circle Trail turns hard to the right, while the trail up to the Calico II Trailhead continues straight. The railing and stairs at the trailhead are visible from this point.