A Comprehensive Guide to Rock Climbing In Joshua Tree National Park

May 19
04:52

2023

Jitin B

Jitin B

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In this Joshua Tree climbing guide, we have compiled some classical rock climbing routes, day activities, and much more to make your journey of rock climbing worth it.

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Joshua Tree National Park attracts thousands of climbers,A Comprehensive Guide to Rock Climbing In Joshua Tree National Park Articles boulderers, and hikers across the world. Joshua Tree offers more than 8,000 climbing routes, 2000 boulder problems, and hundreds of natural gaps that offer climbers plenty of opportunities for rock climbing in Joshua Tree. It is a national park for rock climbing. With its diverse landscape, wonderful wildlife, amazing sunsets, and traditional crack climbing, Joshua Tree offers plenty of reasons for rock climbers to visit this park.

In this Joshua Tree climbing guide, we have compiled some classical routes, day activities, and much more to make your journey of rock climbing worth it.

How do I reach Joshua Tree, National Park?

Joshua Tree is in Southern California and is located about 140 miles from Los Angeles, 175 miles northeast of San Diego, 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, and 222 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona.

But it is advisable not to rely on GPS for reaching the park, as it may take you to backcountry roads with soft sands that make your vehicle impossible to drive in such a location. There are three ways to get to the park.

  1. Western Entrance to the Park: The western entrance is at Joushaua Village, which is five miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard.
  2. North Entrance to the Park: The north entrance is in Twentynine Palms, which is 3 miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail.
  3. South Entrance to the Park: It is near Cottonwood Springs and can be approached from east or west Interstate 10.

The closest airport to Joshua Tree National Park is Palm Springs. As an alternative, if you are looking for extensive options for car rental, then go for LAX (about 150 miles away) or Las Vegas Airport (about 230 miles away).

When is the right season for rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree is a year-round climbing destination, but we would classify the seasons as under-

  1. Fall/Spring: The fall or spring seasons are considered ideal for climbing. Yes, there are chances for wildflowers!
  2. Winter: in the winter season, you have to be prepared for some snow days, though snowy days have their own charm.
  3. Summer: The summer season is generally not recommended as it's too hot, even if you are in the high desert. Even if you still consider the summer season, climbing early (before 11 a.m.) or after the afternoon, which is about after 3 p.m., would be ideal as the midday sun is too hot and can lead to health complications.

What are the best rock climbing routes for beginners?

Easy climbing would be considered the one in which the climb rate is 5.8 or below. Beginner climbing tips say that they need to be prepared for smooth granite domes, cracks, and slab climbing.

Double Cross (5.7+), The Old Woman, Hidden Valley Campground

Double Cross is located on Hidden Valley Campground’s Old Woman Crag, which is one of the most popular Joshua Tree Rock Climbing Routes. Although it is a moderate grade, it should not be taken lightly. There are more ascents than any other line route, and it has seen more accidents as compared to other climbs in Joshua Tree.

Sail away (5.8-)-Hidden Tower, Real Hidden Valley

One of the cleanest and funniest moderate hand cracks is Sail Away. You could encounter a crowd and wait in line for your chance to climb. The movement, views, and rests are just amazing.

Leaping Leaner (5.7)—Locomotion Rock, Real Hidden Valley

If you are tired of the crowd on other routes, Leaping Learners might be a worthwhile alternative. Linear is somewhat similar to Double Cross without having too much crowd. The leaping leaner has a slabby, unprotected start and then comes to the cruiser crack.

The Eye (5.4): The Cyclops, Hidden Valley Campground

The Eye is a long, approachable climb. It's a long, approachable climb that ends at a cave looking out at the campground. The name ‘Eye’ is due to its resemblance to a giant eye with a hole in the center. According to the Joshua Tree Rock Climbing Guide if you are a beginner but up for challenging routes ranging from 5.10 to 5.12 difficulty levels, then ‘The Eye’ might be the perfect solution for you to do climbing.

What are the best rock climbing routes for advanced climbers?

The best routes that would remain ideal for advanced climbers are:

Bird On A Wire (5.8)

Located in the Lost Horse area of the park, it's a challenging climb that requires technical footwork and delicate balance. One of the best climbs for advanced climbers. It intersects with another famous route called ‘Dappled Mare’.

Real Hidden Valley (5.8, 5.10a, 5.10b, 5.8)

The Real Hidden Valley is a circular valley that has excellent rock climbing routes. According to the Joshua Tree rock climbing guide, it is one of the most popular hikes that offers challenging climbs. Rustlers loved this place as they could hide their cattle in this confined valley.

Other climbing routes for advanced climbers are:

  • Big Moe (5.11a)
  • Clean and Jerk (5.10c)
  • Wangerbanger (5.11c)
  • Loosy Lady (5.10a)
  • Possessed by Elvis (5.10d)

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Joshua National Park is heaven for climbers. With 8,000 climbing routes, Joshua National Park offers climbing opportunities for both beginners and advanced-level climbers. But ensure that you keep the seasons in mind to make the climbing journey hassle-free. By following this Joshua Tree Rock Climbing Guide, you can make your climbing journey memorable!

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