Joshua Tree — Spring Send Session — Hidden Valley
Three days in Hidden Valley — waking up at the base of the rock, gearing up, and climbing until sunset. Joshua Tree strips everything down to what climbing should feel like. Some of it was clean and classic, some of it was awkward and old-school, and all of it taught us something.
Approach
Camping in Hidden Valley gives you direct access to some of the best climbing in Joshua Tree. Just step out of your tent and you’re at the base of world-class routes.
Routes
We moved through a mix of classic Joshua Tree climbs, from moderate trad routes to fun sport lines. 'The Eye'(5.4) on Cyclops Rock was a standout, with its unique finish and stunning views. We also tackled The Old Woman's Toe Jam (5.7) and 'Belly Scraper'(5.4; PG-13) on Peewee Rock that really showed us the definition of 'old school grades' and had us problem solving our whole way up.
Protection & Gear
Protection in Joshua Tree can be a bit of a wild card, with a mix of solid placements and some that require careful testing. We found that having a versatile rack with a good selection of nuts, cams, and some larger pieces was essential for protecting the variety of routes we climbed. The sport routes were a bit high on the first bolt for most climbs, which we found a little intimidating at first, but it ended up being a great confidence builder as we got used to the style and learned to trust the placements on the way up.
Camping
We camped in Hidden Valley Campground, which is the perfect base for climbing in Joshua Tree. It’s first-come, first-served, so we arrived early to secure a spot. The campground is surrounded by iconic rock formations, making it an unforgettable place to wake up and fall asleep.
Conditions
Late March — perfect spring weather with warm days and cool (sometimes chilly) nights. Ideal for climbing without the heat of summer.