The Calico National Recreation Trails System is one of the most interesting day or overnight trails to take in Southwestern Colorado.

The trailhead is actually located at the Priest Gulch Campground, north of Dolores on Hwy 145. Both the Priest Gulch Trailhead and the Calico Trailhead are across from the campground.

The Calico Trail starts in the opposite direction of the Priest Gulch Trail. Hikers want to take the trail to the right. The Calico Trail (Forest Service Trail 645) will later intersect with the Priest Gulch Trail should hikers take the wrong one.

This is for hikers who have some experience. It is not difficult with the exception of traveling over some rock and snow slide areas. The total change of elevation is a little more than 4,000 feet for those traveling over the trail.

High elevation hiking and traveling in the back country is not without risks, though. The weather can change in an instant and there are many exposed places where a loss of footing can lead to a certain death. Be prepared for your journey and be sure to check the current weather before heading to the mountains.

The trail goes up sharply for the first three to four miles or so and then gets much easier. Hikers who prefer a more gradual walk along Priest Gulch Creek should take the Priest Gulch Trail instead. The elevation rise, though, comes about four miles later with a definite climb. Although I have been hiking in Colorado for years, I had to take time out and rest before continuing.

After about another mile and half (5 1/2 miles or so total), the trails join together to form the Calico National Recreation Trails System. The climb gets very steep at this point where the path climbs steadily upward for a mile to 2 miles to the top of Storm Peak, 12,095 in elevation. From there the trail takes hikers across a ridge and then up to Anchor Mountain, another 200 feet higher than Storm Peak. From there it is about another mile or so to Calico Mountain. At that point, day hikers should probably turn back because they will have about an 8 mile walk back, albeit much easier.

My friend, John Carlson, and I planned on camping overnight so we continued.

But for those who brought backpacking camping gear, the hike on to The Meadows is simply beautiful. The trail, thankfully, goes around the west side of Calico Peak. The Stoner Mesa Trail joins at this point. However, the trail is easy to lose at this point because of a rock slide. People have made shortcuts and other trails, so again it is easy to lose.

The trail then meets with Johnny Bull Trail (FST 639) and the trail goes around Johnny Bull Mountain. The trail then heads up the side of Stocker Peak (12,150), the highest point on the trail.

By this time I was very tired. We rested here and took in the beautiful mountain scenery. You can get a good look at Mount Wilson.

Hikers should always be cautioned about high altitude sickness. The most common symptom is a headache. This can be followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and even loss of conciousness. Most people can avoid symptoms by taking it slowly and even becoming inactive for several hours at a time after climbing 1,000 feet intervals. Drink lots of water.

The trail heads down, down and down in elevation from Stocker Peak. The trail is narrow at times.

The Calico Trail is now (FST 208). Hikers head east and then it is a gradual descent to the Calico Trailhead at The Meadows.

The Meadows, called that for a good reason, are composed of a large, Alpine meadow near the top of Lizard Head Pass. This meadow is surrounded by several 14,000 foot mountains including Wilson Peaks, at the edge of the Lizard Head Pass Wilderness. Here, hikers can find wild mushrooms (Chanderellas) and others during the summer months. We camped in the trees on the south side.

At that point we had hiked about 17 or 18 miles from the Priest Gulch Campground.