Sheep Pass Area

Sheep Pass from Ryan Campground, Headstone in the ...

Description 

Sheep Pass is a large, vague area near the southeastern end of the broader Lost Horse Valley (technically, the pass, several miles east of Hidden Valley Campground on the main park road, divides Lost Horse Valley from Queen Valley, and the Sheep Pass group campground lies on the Queen Valley side of the pass, but most of the climbing is on the Lost Horse side of the pass). Incidentally, if you're coming with a group, Sheep Pass is the place to try to get a campsite -- but make your reservations way in advance.

The most prominent formation in the Sheep Pass area is the huge Saddle Rocks, which sit high up on the side of Ryan Mountain (which provides the eastern border of the Lost Horse Valley). Saddle Rocks can be seen from miles away, and their faces contain some of the longest climbs in the park. Other smaller areas in Sheep Pass include Cap Rock, Television Wall, Cowboy Crags, and the Ryan Campground area (notable for some nice bouldering, and of course the aptly-named Headstone Rock).

For a sparse area, however, Sheep Pass has several must-climb classics. Walk on the Wild Side (5.7+) is a classic, slabby 3-pitch ascent up the east face of Saddle Rocks, and the Headstone's SW Corner (5.6) and Cryptic (5.8) are deservedly popular routes to the top of a truly unique formation.

Getting There 

As noted above, Sheep Pass generally lies on or near the main park road, a few miles east of Hidden Valley Campground. Headstone Rock is best accessed from within Ryan Campground, and turnouts for Saddle Rocks, Cap Rock, and the group campground are clearly signed.

The Classics

Featured Route For Sheep Pass Area

SW Corner 5.6  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Headstone Rock

Awesome setting, great summit, big air underneath you. This is a great climb. It's popular, and there's often a line, but it's still well worth doing. Ss soon as you hit the corner past the second bolt, it's like there's no one else around but you and a hundred feet of air. The crux is negotiating your way over a small bulge above the second bolt -- the holds are there and bomber, though, so fire away!! This is one climb that I intend to com...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Sheep Pass Area Slideshow

Add Photo

Moonrise over Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Prickly Pear near Target Rock. photo by Blitzo.	Ryan Mountain-snow. Photo by Blitzo.
Top of Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Saddle Rocks and Cowboy Crags from the Sandy Wash ...	Planet X Pinnacle. Photo by Blitzo.
Bouldering near Saddle Rocks, Joshua Tree.	Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Cholla detail, Joshua Tree NP.
Blooming joshua tree near Cap Rock. Photo by Blitz...	Display at the Oyster Bar parking area, JTNP.	Cap Rock and Joshua Tree before sunset, JTNP.
Sunrise across the desert floor.	A nice collection of plants...	Joshua Tree sunset from Hall of Horrors, Joshua Tr...
Celebrating after an ascent of Headstone Rock, Jos...	Do you think the sheep did this? Or was it a shoe...	BETA PHOTO: Cavern Rock and Grotto Rocks