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 II Trailhead to the Sandstone Quarry 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 II to Sandstone Quarry

Staying right at the Calico II trail junction (Wpt. 08), the Grand Circle Trail climbs gently towards a low saddle on a well-used trail. From atop the saddle looking north into the distance, the trail can be seen dropping towards the wash, passing a group of large boulders, and climbing the hillside towards the next saddle. While hiking through the valley, look for marks left by native peoples on the boulders.

The Grand Circle Trail runs up the valley and climbs onto the next saddle, then follows along the hillside and passes through sandstone outcrops to a highpoint where Sandstone Quarry parking can be seen ahead in the distance.

In this area, several use-trails cut up the hillside and others drop into the canyon bottom, but the main trail stays more-or-less on the level before dropping into the south end of the Sandstone Quarry parking area (Wpt. 09). The trail continues north to the far end of the parking lot and the Sandstone Quarry North Trailhead (Wpt. 10).