Rain and Joshua Tree

I was thinking of planning a trip to Joshua Tree this coming weekend but the forecast calls for rain. Does anyone that climbs here regularly know if this would hamper any efforts we make at climbing or would we be able to have a good time?

It's hard to predict the weather in Jtree. I usually don't worry about rain unless the forecast is predicting at least a 70% chance. The length of the storm can usually offer a bit of a hint too... if it's just a one or two day storm that's a week away they usually fizzle by that time. That said, it's been a weird year, and I've been hit with rain more times in the last year than all my other experiences combined.

It depends if you like climbing in the (cold) rain. I've done it a few times but only because...it was raining!

It's only Monday - keep checking weather forecast as it will surely change as the weekend gets closer.

I am going this weekend. I reserved two sites in Blackrock and have several friends joining me.

The last time rain was expected in Josh the park was empty. I couldn't get any friends to join me so I sent solo, intending to just enjoy the park and scout routes. Of course I brought gear in case I met anyone. Scouting in RHV, I saw no one was on Sail Away. Went to the car, grabbed gear, climbed 5.6 around the side (piggy-backing big chocks), rapped and TR-soloed the route with a prusik. Met some climbers and jumped on another good route. Great day, beautiful weather, no rain. Rain hit on the drive home.

With all that said, its worth the trip, to me. Although, I am expecting it to be very cold this weekend, rain or not.

it snowed last saturday in Josh. I went out sunday, and the rocks were dry. Supposed to have snow again this weekend. I also have a campsite reserved at Blackrock, but am thinking of Bailing.
It is supposed to be colder this weekend.

Getting rained out at JT doesn't have to be a bummer. If you're into photography at all, the place is one of the most incredible locales I've ever been with a camera in the rain or snow. Sometimes, if the weather promises to be bad, I'll make a special trip out there just to take pictures. Occasionally I'll catch a shot like this:

Bring your rope and rack though...the promise of bad weather means that the lines you'd normally find at moderate classics will be short or non-existent.

Wait until Sunday, plan on climbing in the sun in a wind sheltered area.

This is a slightly different situation that the extended rain that's been forecast but I was out at Star Wars Rock when there was a sudden, real violent downpour. It was amazing to see the amount of water pouring off the rock, funnelling down cracks in such a short period of time.

We just hung out under a large boulder for a half hour or so, listening to all the water running, until it stopped, waited about 15 mins. for the sun to come out and started climbing again. It was humid, but except deep inside cracks, the rock didn't feel wet.

The NWS is calling for snow. It looks like there could be several inches by Sunday morning with a high around 40.

.......Yeah, I'll be out there bouldering instead of trad. For this weekend, I like the idea of easily warming my hands whenever I want to.

You will miss out on a lot of climbing if you listen to weather reports.

Chris D. ..... really really cool shot.

I heard they close the gate if there is snow.. Any truth to that? I'm headed that way tomorrow morning.

Sunday was a great day out there - hope some of you "braved" the forecast and made it.

Nice photo Chris