Overview

Girl Scout Trail is an easy 0.6-mile trail that runs from the base of Guardian Angel Canyon to Kraft Mountain Trailhead. As such, it is merely a trail segment rather than a trail, proper. Girl Scout Trail is part of the Calico Hills Loop Trail, and it is a continuation of the Calico Basin Trail, which runs from the Red Spring parking area to the base of Guardian Angel Canyon.

For hikers using this trail segment southbound, see Girl Scout Trail Southbound.

Girl Scout Trail serves well as a connector trail, but as a stand-alone trail, it is not very interesting. However, it does seem to be an attempt by the BLM to define one trail and reduce the number of use-trails that are proliferating throughout the Calico Basin area. Hopefully people will stay on the trail and the land will recover.

Link to trail map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this hike is about as safe as they get, but there was a loose rock where the trail crosses the spring outflow, and the trail is fairly rocky.

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. Be sure to stay on the trail in wet areas so as not to trample the delicate riparian vegetation.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in the Calico Basin area of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes from town (not on the Scenic Loop Road). Drive out West Charleston Blvd, turn right onto Calico Basin Road, then drive to the Red Spring Trailhead. Park here; this is the trailhead parking, then hike out the Calico Basin Trail about 3/4-miles to the base of Guardian Angel Canyon.

The Hike

From the base of Guardian Angel Canyon (Table 1, Waypoint 04), the trail exits the area heading northeast following along the base of the red sandstone cliffs. The trail climbs at a moderate grade until reaching a flat, open area with grand views north towards Kraft Mountain. All through this area, hikers should stay left at forks in the trail.

Before long, the trail begins to descend into a shallow canyon where water flows during winter and spring. Watch for the Velvet Ash Trees that grow in the canyon bottom and reveal the presence of water, even if only underground water.

Crossing the small wash (Wpt. 03), the trail continues north and climbs onto the next high, open area where again, great views spread out to the north. The canyon to the left is Ash Canyon, and the peak to the right is Kraft Mountain.

From this open area, the Kraft Mountain Trailhead becomes visible to the northeast. Starting down into the next canyon, Girl Scout Trail bends to the right and drops to join an old road (Wpt. 02) adjacent to an area graded for a home site.

Staying right onto the old road, the trail descends to cross Ash Wash, then climbs the gradual grade and continues east to the Kraft Mountain Trailhead (Wpt. 01)