Within Red Rocks National Conservation Area are a number of hikes into deep canyons in the Spring Mountains.   Icebox Canyon leaves the Scenic Drive and crosses rocky desert hills to the mouth of the canyon which become increasingly narrow until it ends in a vertical slot where a seasonal waterfall cascades into a pool.

The first section of the trail crosses rocky slopes covered in blackbrush, agave, and cholla before entering the chapparal-choked canyon.

The “trail” ends at the creek and the rest of the route is up rocks and large boulders in the creekbed.   During or right after a rain, this would not be a good route.   The whole route is rock-hopping, scrambling, ducking under branches, and climbing over obstacles.   Sandstone cliffs rise above the creek on both sides.

Helicopter tours flew over the canyon sporadically for glimpse at the upper canyon waterfalls.

At the very end of the route is a steep ramp up to a cascade pool, a tentative scramble on smooth slickrock.

The late afternoon sun shone on the white sandstone hills, reflecting in the upper canyon  pools.

This was an up-and-back, rock-hopping hike of 4.8 km.   It is listed as a difficult route, but it is also a slow hike, requiring caution and patience.   Overall, it was a good hike (but the Calico Hills are more fun every day).