Joshua Tree National Park


Joshua Tree National Park 

A beginners guide







Have you ever wanted to climb on the sharpest rocks ever and become a climbing god?  Then make it out to Joshua Tree this season. Just a mere 3 hours northeast of San Diego is the beautiful and sought after Joshua Tree National Park. I just recently took my first trip out there and I fell in love. The climbing was something out of this world and the people you meet there are some of the greatest on the planet. 

Important things to know:

-No service in the park, however this problem could be solved with Starlink

-No water access in park, so bring plenty!!

    -These water jugs  from Vons worked great for me 

-Costs $30 to enter the park everyday, so if you leave the next day will be another $30

-It's called Joshua Tree, because all the the trees everywhere are called Joshua Trees!!

-Around this time of the year it is FREEZING at night, but also absolutely beautiful! Check out this photo I got from my last visit!

Rock Climbing must knows:

-There is a very limited amount of sport climbing, whatever sport climbing there is it is extremely slabby and lots of run off between bolts.  

-There is plenty of bouldering, all types, overhang, slab, highballs, cracks and so much more. 

-SO MUCH Trad climbing, but of course for that you'll need a full rack of gear. I did not do any of the Trad climbs and only bouldered and still had a spectacular time, some of the most incredible boulders I have ever seen

-For an extensive look at the climbs in certain areas I recommend looking through mountain project, that app was a MASSIVE help for me out there. Plus you do not need service to use it!

Food: 

-Smart to take non perishable food unless you are lucky enough to have a refrigerator or able to keep it cold for a long period of time

-Items I took that worked great

    -Peanut Butter, Jam and Bread

    -Bananas, apples, oranges and honey

    -Chips and pretzels 

    -Salami(only stayed cold cause it was so cold at night)

    -Trail Mix

Camping

When I went out to Joshua Tree around mid January I stayed in the Hidden Valley Campground  which is first come first serve. Most campgrounds you need to book weeks or even months earlier, but hidden valley is a great spot. No need to book anything just show up and hopefully there is a spot, plenty of people leave each day! It will cost $15 for a single night, and once you have the spot there is a seven day maximum, but will cost $15 a day. On top of this, it is the hub for rock climbers, they all stay at hidden valley campground and hang out and chat. It is an amazing place to meet loads of new people and climbers of every level. There are lots of boulders and things to climb within walking distance!

Bathroom situation:

I know this is a very important aspect of it for many people and it was for me as well, luckily it is a pretty good setup. If you choose to stay at the hidden valley campground there are bathrooms in the campground, and they had enough toilet paper to sink a ship. However, I would bring toilet paper just in case. I also saw others scattered throughout the park as I drove through it! 

Conclusions:

It is a must do! Every person climber or not should visit Joshua Tree, it is a stunning place and there is so much to explore. Even if you are not into climbing you need to go and see the pure beauty of this place. Give it a go at least once in your life and you will not regret it!!

     




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