Photo Credit: Kevin Powell Images

Joshua Tree Tips

Guidebook Resources
+ Joshua Tree is large and confusing. A Climb-On Map is a must-have to supplement your guidebook or Mountain Project to help you find your way around and to get away from the super busy crags. Your trip will go way more smoothly!
+ There are numerous guidebooks for Joshua Tree and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

• The Robert Miramontes Joshua Tree Rock Climbs guidebook has really nice photos and touches on many areas across JTree. There are a few inaccuracies, but a main thing to be careful about this book is the author identifies some routes as "sport" but they do not have bolted anchors, they require trad anchors. Read the details of the "sport" climbs very carefully and double check against Mountain Project, if possible.
• Randy Vogel has published numerous Joshua Tree climbing guidebooks and other than the original old school tomes, Vogel is the 
  • Joshua Tree Climbs: 1000 of the Best Climbs in Joshua Tree - This is Vogel's smallest book that skims the surface of JTree. It has nice color photos but won't take you far from the beaten path.
  • Rock climbing Joshua Tree West: Quail Springs to Hidden Valley Campground - Some people eschew the black and white photos, but this is an amazing, comprehensive book. Want to know Joshua Tree better and plan to visit again and again? This is the book.
• The Trad Guide to Joshua Tree: 60 Favorite Climbs from 5.5 to 5.9 - A small but really helpful little book to get you started finding some lower grade trad climbs in Joshua Tree. It's well laid out with good photos and information. Great for a first time visit.