Overview

The Ride Share Deluxe Loop Trail is a pleasant 2.7-mile hike that runs from the Visitor Center to Calico 1 Trailhead and back. The trail traverses big, open country and rarely goes straight when it has the opportunity to wind around. The scenery is spectacular in all directions, and signs along the trail explain the geologic history and fire history of the area.

This trail is one of the interconnected Visitor Center loop trails that the Red Rocks folks are calling "Ride Share Deluxe." Problems with Internet connectivity continue to be an issue for visitors using ride share services in this area, so this loop trail keeps people close to the Visitor Center where they can get WiFi and WiFi-calling service at the end of their hike to call for a pickup.

Link to map or elevation profile.

Link to BLM Georeference PDF map file with coverage of this trail.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a safe hike, even for kids, but watch for traffic when crossing the road. There are places where you could get hurt if you tried, but the trail is safe. Most of the trail is well groomed, relatively free of rocks, and makes for easy walking.

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 hike is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located along the Scenic Loop Road in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes west of Las Vegas. Drive out to Red Rocks, pay the entrance fee, then drive up to the Visitor Center Trailhead. Park here; this is the trailhead.

The Moenkopi and Grand Circle trails start at the northwest corner of the parking area near the Visitor Center buildings.

The Hike

From the Visitor Center Trailhead (Table 1, Waypoint 01), which is just past several picnic tables, a memorial, and information signs, this trail starts on the Moenkopi Loop Trail, which runs southwest down the gentle grade to a trail junction where it merges onto an old road (Wpt. 02). The trail bends right and runs northwest along the old road for about 70 yards. Just past the weather station (on the right), the trail reaches another junction (Wpt. 03).

Here (Wpt. 03), the Moenkopi and Grand Circle trails turn right and run north out around the west side of the Visitor Center complex. The vegetation along here is dominated by low-growing, widely spaced creosote bush, some red brome grass, and few other species.

Just across the wash (Wpt. 04), the Moenkopi Trail reaches another trail junction. Here, the Moenkopi Trail turns left, while the Grand Circle Trail (connecting to the Calico Hills Trail and other short Visitor Center Area Trails) continues straight.

The Moenkopi Trail runs north up the bajada staying on a low ridge. On this part of the trail, the shrubby vegetation is diverse and dominated by creosote bush, Mojave yucca, and blackbrush. Other common species include composite shrubs, four-wing saltbush, Nevada ephedra, strawberry hedgehog cactus, spiny menodora, desert trumpet, white bursage, and more red brome grass.

The trail winds along with grand views in all directions. About 5 to 10 minutes past the trail junction, there is a sign about the formation for the Calico Hills, explaining that they were sand dunes some 180 million years ago. Note that to the west, left of the trail, Moenkopi Hill can be seen rising from the desert flats.

From the information sign, the trail generally runs north-northwest until it is well past (north of) the summit of Moenkopi Hill. The trail then begins a big arc to the northwest. The trail eventually reaches a trail junction (Wpt. 05) where the Moenkopi Trail stays left and the trail to the right heads out to the Calico I Trailhead.

From the junction (Wpt. 05), the Ride Share Deluxe Loop Trail runs northeast climbing across rolling terrain. This part of the trail cuts across the heart of the 2005 Loop Fire. The trail drops to cross a major wash, then climbs through three switchbacks to arrive at the edge of the Scenic Loop Road (Wpt. 06).

After carefully crossing the Scenic Loop Road (remember, drivers are on vacation and not paying attention), hikers enter the Calico 1 parking area. The route now turns right to head south down through the parking area. Stop and use the outhouse if necessary, then continue to the actual trailhead (Wpt. 07). At the trailhead signs, the Ride Share Deluxe Loop Trail actually stayed inside the fencing and continues south on the edge of the Scenic Loop Road. Fencing here keeps hikers near the pavement, so watch for erratic drivers.

After about 200 yards, the Ride Share Deluxe Loop Trail angles away from the Scenic Loop Road and goes over a low ridge that shields hikers from the sights and sounds of the roadway. This part of the trail runs on the east edge of the Loop Fire, and here some shrubs survived.

At about 0.46 miles from Calico 1 Trailhead, the trail reaches 4-way trail junction (Wpt. 08). The Ride Share Deluxe Loop Trail turns right to head east down a wide, shallow gully. In this area, the trail held as a fire line, so this area is now on the edge of the fire. The difference between the burned and unburned desert is apparent.

About 200 yards down the gully, hikers encounter another trail junction (Wpt. 09). Here, the Ride Share Deluxe Loop Trail continues straight, while the trail to the left turns south and heads out to the Entrance Fee Station.

Continuing down the gully, the trail soon arrives again at the Scenic Loop Road (Wpt. 10). As before, watch for crazy drivers and carefully cross the road.

By now, the Visitor Center is clearly visible ahead in the not-too-far distance, and the trail runs southwest through unburned vegetation to pass north of the buildings. When almost past the buildings, hikers arrive at a trail junction (Wpt. 04), which is the Moenkopi Trail again.

Continuing straight west on the Moenkopi Trail, hikers cross a wash and climb the far hillside. The trail bends left to runs south, passing the Visitor Center, and arrives at a T-intersection (Wpt. 03) with the Grand Circle Trail.

Turing left, hikers head east on the old road past the weather station, then bend left (Wpt. 02) and climb the hill back to the Moenkopi Trailhead (Wpt. 01) and the front of the Visitor Center.