Foundation Peak
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
September 21, 2011
Looking for a quick climb, Foundation Peak is as about as brief as you can get. Foundation Peak is the unofficial name for a peak in the Calico Hills. When Dinah and I started off at 8:30 in the morning, it was already 30°C. From a parking lot in Calico Basin, we walked up the road to the base of the mountain and started up the right side. We easily circumvented boulders and minor cliffs that we encountered; it was a steep hike with some easy scrambling. Taking our time, it took us under an hour to reach the top. Despite being tiny, Foundation Peak packs a lot of charm. |

Foundation Peak ahead

Desert cottontail

White-tailed antelope squirrel

Starting up

Foundation Peak takes its name from the abandoned building project below.

Bypassing boulders

We went straight up but later learned we could circumvent these boulders by going far left or right.

Almost at the summit

Dinah reaches the summit rock.

On top of Foundation Peak

Fascinating rocks near the summit

Dinah finds some shade. Las Vegas in the background.

Western Fence Lizard

La Madre Mtn. (1:24,000 USGS Topo)