Black Velvet Boulder  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,245. Good page?    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  C Miller on Dec 4, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 86° | 59° 88° | 61° 90° | 61° 90° | 63° 91° | 63°

Black Velvet Boulder and beyond.
Photo by Blitzo.

Description 

The Black Velvet Boulder, so named for the healthy accumulation of black lichen on it's north face, is a tall and impressive block with two notable problems. Classic Curl (V0+) and Black Velvet (V3) are both technical for the grade and high enough to elicit some sort of reaction from most who climb them.

Getting There 

Hike west past the western-most picnic table and then head south skirting the rocks on your left. The tall boulder with it's velvety face will be quite obvious. Plan on 5-10 minutes from the car depending upon where you've parked.

The Classics

Featured Route For Black Velvet Boulder

Black Velvet V3  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Black Velvet Boulder

Starts from the left via a mantle (harder) or from edges slightly right and then climbs the high-angled slab with thin, delicate and balancy moves off the deck. It's possible to use the arete on the right making this slightly easier but the pure line is straight up the slab. The easiest descent is to downclimb the southwest arete and then step off (or jump) onto the flat boulder adjacent to this boulder....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA