White Rock Loop - 6.35 Miles Round-Trip

The White Rock Loop circles the White Rock Hills, a large sandstone complex on the north end of Red Rock Canyon at the base of La Madre Mountain. The La Madres are comprised of 500M year old Paleozoic limestone and dolostone (grey hues), which rise above 180M year old Jurassic sandstone (red and tan hues).

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

This anachronistic display is the result of major thrust faulting events that began 65M years ago when tectonic plates collided across the west, forcing much older rock over younger layers. These distinct rock types are pronounced as you rise through the gap on the Loop’s north side.

In addition to contrasting rock, the Loop passes through several ecotones that make it one of the most biologically diverse trails in the Conservation Area. High canyon walls and nearby springs support bighorn sheep, while kit fox and rattlesnakes are common in the low open desert.

Visitors will enjoy varied terrain, exceptional views, springs and anthropological sites on the White Rock Loop. The loop can be accessed from 3 points - White Rock Springs, Lost Creek and Willow Springs. The following description begins at Willow Springs and travels clockwise:

The trail heads northwest from Willow Springs on Rocky Gap Road, tracing Red Rock Wash to the La Madre Mountain Wilderness Boundary (.64 miles : 4,730’). Follow signs (right) at the Boundary sign for a short climb to the White Rock Loop Trail (1.12 miles : 4,867’). 

The White Rock Loop splits right and narrows on single track along the White Rock Hills escarpment. It weaves quickly through pinyon-juniper woodlands that support a range of wildlife, and were particularly valuable to indigenous people. Native Americans harvested wood and pinyon pine nuts, a portable and malleable source of protein and fat.

The trail rises steadily to a saddle on the north side of the White Rock massif (2.65 miles : 5,446’), the Loop’s highest point. Agave is notably abundant at these elevations. The trail curls east and drops with rangy views from Turtlehead Peak to the Rainbow Mountains.

A rolling descent through blackbrush scrub leads to the Keystone Thrust Trail split (3.85 miles : 4,938’), just past which it crosses a wash into the White Rock Springs Trailhead (4.0 miles : 4,880’).

Cross the lot and continue down through a more sparsely vegetated creosote community.  Views of North Peak, Bridge Mountain and Rainbow Mountain are exceptional as you wrap the south face of the White Rock Hills. This is a good stretch to see small mammals and reptiles.

The trail drops across the Grand Wash (5.2 miles : 4,420’) and rises steeply out to resume moderate travel to the Grand Circle Trail junction (5.7 miles : 4,528’).

Here it bends west and down to connections for Lost Creek (6.0 miles : 4,480’), and undulates mildly back to Willow Springs to complete the loop (6.35 miles).

This final leg is highlighted by an agave roasting pit, pictograph panel and a healthy collection of vegetation that benefits from proximity to the springs.