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Foundation Peak
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
September 21, 2011
Distance: 2.0 km (1.2 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 190 m (623 ft)
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 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 have circumvented these boulders by going far left or right
Almost at the summit
Dinah reaches the summit rock
On top of Foundation Peak. Turtlehead Peak on the right.
Fascinating rocks near the summit
Dinah finds some shade. Las Vegas in the background.
Western fence lizard
La Madre Mountain (1.2 mi, 4331 ft, 614 ft)