Help me plan a trip to red rocks/jtree.

Posting this in Nevada and California forums.

Initially I wanted to go to red rocks in November where I've been a few times. Now I am entertaining an idea for what I think would be an awesome trip. This time I will be going solo and hopefully find partners. Flying from NYC. Travel dates are somewhere late October to early November.

The idea is to fly to Vegas, rent a car, climb at red rocks for two days staying at the strip. Then drive down to Joshua tree (3 hour drive or so) and camp in the car at j-tree and hopefully get in a day or 2 of climbing if I find a partner. I won't be climbing very hard but happy on easy routes. Will have two ropes and a rack. Then back to Vegas and fly back to nyc.

I'm pretty familiar with Vegas and red rocks. I know November is a busy month for jtree and camping specifically. The plan is to rent an suv and camp in the car in jtree.

Which would be the best campground to stay at with closest access to climbing? Perhaps a compromise between great views and access to climbing? I hear Hidden Valley Campground is good. Thoughts?

Logistically half of the time my suitcases will be with me as I will be on the road in the car. Because my suitcases will be in the car, how's the theft situation like in jtree? Should I go the extra mile to take important things with me when out climbing?

With that said anything worth checking out around j tree area? Anything that's worth a detour on my drive from vegas to jtree or back to vegas? Awesome things to see?

Would love to drive down to Yosemite but saving that at least until I can lead 8s and 9s.

With that said it would awesome to find someone who would be interested in such a trip or part of it. I will already be paying for the car and most of the stuff anyway.

Thanks,

Roman

You won't get a site in Hidden Valley after Thursday during the busy season. You might be able to find someone willing to share a site though. Ryan is also good and you might have better luck there finding a site but there aren't as many. If all else fails there is BLM land.

Take the road across the Mojave Preserve to get out there from Vegas. It's the fun way.

I don't think theft will be a problem when you're in the park at J-Tree. Keep your valuables and suitcases in the trunk of your rental and you'll be fine. It's another story if you leave/park your car outside of Park boundaries.

Don't get fixated on staying at the Hidden Valley campground, although it's the main one where you can walk to a lot of climbing. Hidden Valley is where you would most likely partner up with someone, as there is a bulletin board there, too.

None of the campsites are much of a drive to climbing, regardless of where you want to climb in the park.

That road through the Mojave is an adventure in itself lol.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions guys.

So there is a bulletin at the hidden balley? I'm assuming I just post my name and what I'm looking to climb and my contact info?

Also do I just walk around and ask people if they need a partner lol ? I'm not entirely sure how that works.

I'm shooting to stay about 3 days in jtree

Thanks for any advice.

Roman

There is a bulletin at HVCG, but you will have better luck just talking to people in person. Cell phone reception is not available in most of the park (correct me if this is different in 2015). Don't be shy, and bring something to share.

If at all possible, plan to arrive at J-Tree on a Sunday or Monday. Your best shot at finding a good camping spot in HVCG will be in the early afternoon on either of those days. There will still be plenty of potential partners around, and the most classic routes will be far less crowded than on weekends.

I agree that the road through Mojave National Preserve is the way to go. It's best to get off I-15 as soon as possible. The Cima road goes through an amazing old growth Joshua Tree forest.

If you get stuck without an campsite in J-tree there is also the option to do backcountry camping, which is on a self-registration system. I haven't checked the rules recently, but last I did you didn't have to hike in very far to be in the legal camping zone.

Thanks guys,

I decided to change my trip around and spend more time in jtree than originally planned and also decided to bring a tent....if I'm going to camp in jtree, might as well do it right.

Planning to spend about 4 days climbing in jtree and about 2 days in red rocks.

Is Vogels still the best guidebook to get?

I know a standard rack is fine for jtree, but I like to sew it up and will be climbing 5.easy to 5.6ish on gear. will follow up 8s and 9s.

With that said, what should I double up on? Do I need any bigger gear? Is it worth bringing a #5 C4?

My current rack:

C3 #1
C3 #2
C3 #3

C4 .3
C4 .4
C4 .5 x2
C4 .75 x2 (one being X4)
C4 1 x2
C4 2
C4 3
C4 4
C4 5

Some other small cams, yellow mastercam, dmms.

Im assuming to double up on #2 and #3? Again I like to sew it up and will probably need those sized?

Thanks for any advice

Roman

Sent you a pm!
I also have doubles in c4/x4 from .3-3
Singles in .1, .2, 4
So you wouldn't have to buy any cams except for a 5 or 6 if you felt like it...