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The Red Obelisk Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Red Obelisk

L › R R › L A › Z

	Red Obelisk Arete S 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
	Red Obelisk (aka Boogers on a Lampshade), The T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b

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Elevation:	4,367 ft	1,331 m
GPS:	34.04385, -116.14306 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	3,476 total · 13/month
Shared By:	Craig Clarence on Mar 12, 2003
Admins:	Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Greg Opland, C Miller, Gunkswest Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

The Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent's Compendium states that:
1. Vegetation is not allowed to be used as an anchor.
2. Only neutral or rock colored bolt hangers are allowed.

For a complete list of climbing rules and closures visit:
nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Description

This free-standing pinnacle currently has 3 bolted face routes. Maybe 25 feet tall, the rock's west face has a distinctive reddish patina which gives the formation its name.

The obelisk is steep on all sides and overhanging on its north side, where it is very undercut and rotten. Definitely a candidate for most likely to topple in the next earthquake!

The easiest way up is via the 5.10b route The Red Obelisk (AKA "Boogers on a Lampshade" in the Bartlett guide). Two new routes have recently been put up on this rock: a 3-bolt route ascending the arete to the left of Boogers, and a traversing 5 bolt route on the south face to the right of Boogers.

We thought the new arete route was 5.11+, maybe harder. The new route on the south face involved so much loose grain that we didn't finish it. The Boogers route is very fun and worth doing, however.

Rap chains on top get you off.

Getting There

The trailhead for this rock is the dirt parking lot for Uncle Willie's Health Food Store. There are really good maps in the Vogel guide p. 281 and 296, which will get you right to the rock. Following is a rough description of the approach:

Drive past the turnoff to Barker Dam and take the next left on the dirt road. Park at the lot at the end of this road, and start walking up an old dirt road which has a wire blocking vehicle access. A few hundred feet up this road there is an obvious trail to the left - take this trail. After this turn you walk up a wash, passing Uncle Willie's (a ruined brick building), and continue almost directly north for about a mile. You will pass many climbs on either side of the wash, and the Astro Domes will soon become obvious to your left.

After you pass the Freak Brothers Dome (very obvious - long dome with 3 obvious rounded aretes facing west) you turn right into another big wash and head straight east. The Red Dihedral will soon come into view. The walk takes about 45 minutes from the car.