Advice on Joshua Tree / Red Rocks

Thanks Frank.

Quartz monzonite is NOT a type of granite in petrological classifications:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quart…

However, to any climber who is not a geoscientist, quartz monzonite will look very similar to granite. The main difference is the amount of quartz with granite containing much more quartz.

Like granite, quartz monzonite has very low permeability so water doesn't seep into it like it does with most sandstones (RR).

Arlo F Niederer wrote:Quartz monzonite is NOT a type of granite in petrological classifications: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quart… However, to any climber who is not a geoscientist, quartz monzonite will look very similar to granite. The main difference is the amount of quartz with granite containing much more quartz. Like granite, quartz monzonite has very low permeability so water doesn't seep into it like it does with most sandstones (RR).

Thanks, Arlo. That Wikipedia definition says, among other things:

"It is typically a light colored phaneritic (coarse-grained) to porphyritic
granitic rock."

It also says:

"Because of its coloring, it is often confused with granite, but whereas granite contains more than 20% quartz, quartz monzonite is only 5–20% quartz."

Almost seems contradictory.

Whatever it is, it sure can chew up fingertips.

If you kan't walk to far... trust me, I know, Josh is your best bet.

""Also, any advice on camping in this timeframe? Thanks!""

Camping is CRAP at the Rocks.... there are some great places to go and hide camp.... but I can not talk about on-line. The BLM campground is a packed together .... for no reason... loud place... tons of people getting back late or getting up early... all just to keep you awake. And Nevada BLM finds the worlds worst campground hosts.

Josh has its issues, but look on the Socalifornia section for tips on scoring a a campsite..... there are several threads. Weekdays are golden.

IMHO.... if the weather is right, March in Josh, is as good as it gets for camping and climbing.

It's funny...I've heard that a lot, but I had a great time camping at Red Rock last March. It was my first time camping in the desert, though. ;)

Red Rock camping is OKAY at best. It wouldn't be so bad IF it was a little cheaper.

No shade, cops running a speed trap, expensive, dustbowl, nazi-esque "hosts", sites packed in tighter than sardines in a can. What's not to like?

Shade's not a problem if you go in late Feb/early March. :p

Guy Keesee wrote: Camping is CRAP at the Rocks....

But the upside is Vegas has the cheapest hotels in the country. If you use Name Your Own Price on Priceline, you can snag a mid-week hotel at one of the resorts for $25 a night. So apply that $15 a night toward a hotel and it quickly becomes well worth it. If you get a shower for $5 a night anyway, you're already at $20 a night for camping and then it's a no-brainer to get a hotel during the week.