PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

I love the idea of extreme rock climbing, but I don’t relish the thought of dangling on a thin nylon rope over a deadfall drop. If you’re like me, you’ll be happy to know there’s fun alternative. You’ll find it in Joshua Tree, and it’s a great day trip for a hiking date.

Only 140 miles east of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park boasts three distinct eco-regions and six mountain ranges; but the most compelling feature of all lies to the west, in the giant piles of stone known as the Wonderland of Rocks.

It’s as if Salvador Dali sculpted these formations, which twist, bend and reach up in a surrealist fusion of monoliths, obelisks and spires. But it was millions of years of tectonic forces deep beneath the earth that formed these bizarre rocks, assisted by the unseen artistic hand of erosion. Luckily, the final masterpiece happens to be ideal for bouldering.

“Bouldering” is rock climber-ese for scrambling over, around and under piles of boulders and large rocks. It’s exhilarating and fun, but it requires strength, agility and commitment. In other words, if you and your friend are fit hikers, you’ll be fine.

Small-scale bouldering doesn’t require any special equipment, however, a good pair of leather gloves with the fingers cut off (biker gloves work great) and sturdy hiking shoes are an absolute must. They allow you to grip the rocks with Spiderman-like ease. Long sleeve shirts and blue jeans protect arms and legs from rocky scrapes. My more advanced bouldering buddy uses a thick, knotted rope of about 15 feet in length to help me out of crevices or up smooth walls. A rope and a buddy are just good sense - and more fun - to bring along. In summer bring plenty of water. In the winter just add plenty of layers and a warm hat. I always have some kind of head covering and sunscreen – temperatures here are 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Palm Springs, but there’s not a lot of shade!

If bouldering is not for you or your friend, the following trail hikes will give you the lay of the Wonderland without as much difficulty:

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is three miles round trip and of moderate difficulty. Over 50 fan palms make up this natural oasis with its pools of water. This palm oasis is one of five in the park.

Willow Hole Trail is an easy hike of seven miles round trip and features large water pools and willow trees. The trail begins at the Keys West Backcountry board, and goes through a modest gorge surrounded by tall boulders.

Boy Scout Trail is a scenic sixteen miles round trip, along the western edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. It is moderately difficult. You’ll find the trailhead at Keys West Backcountry board a half mile east of the Quail Springs picnic area. It’s not a bad idea to make this a shuttle hike, with a car parked at both ends.

To get to Joshua Tree from Los Angeles, take the I-10 East. Go North on the Twentynine Palms Highway to your selected destination.

Bouldering is an exciting alternative to extreme rock climbing that will get your blood pumping without the high risk. And while you’re up there, enjoy a romantic picnic for two on a cozy pancake of granite, and see who can find the craziest shapes in the rocks!

Photos by Randolph Scott