Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 3,700 ft
GPS: 34.66539, -116.97834
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 967,365 total · 4,539/month
Shared By: Francis Baker (fran) on Sep 26, 2006 · Updates
Admins: C Miller, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

New Jack City (NJC), also known as Sawtooth Canyon, is a sport climbing destination in the high desert near Barstow, CA. With more than 450 sport climbs ranging from 5.6 - 5.13 scattered across the high desert, New Jack City offers something for climbers of all abilities. The rock is an unusual form of metamorphic rock of volcanic origin, offering often tricky and thought-provoking sequences and moves on huecos, pockets, edges, jugs, underclings, and crimps. The climbing is typically steep and diverse, requiring both strength and technique. The Sawtooth Canyon Campground has fourteen first-come first-served campsites each complete with a picnic table and a fire pit. If where you choose to park and spend the night doesn't have these amenities you're camping illegally and are subject to citation and fines. In the absence of a campground host the posted campground rules have been grossly ignored by many visitors. Located in the high desert the climbing season at New Jack City runs from October through May. 

Getting There Suggest change

Heading south from Barstow on Hwy 247 (Barstow Rd.), turn right on the dirt road at mile marker 63.0. Follow this washboard road for 0.9 miles, where the road forks at a BLM kiosk. Bear left at the kiosk, and follow the road more-or-less straight ahead for 0.6 miles, passing the group campsite, until the road dead ends at the main parking area. The maintained trail from this parking area crosses the fence and leads directly to Raven Rocks.

Camping

Suggest change

Campsites at New Jack City are first-come first-served and there is no fee to camp. Each campsite has a picnic table, shade structure, and a fire ring and outhouses are not too far away. No water is available so come prepared - this is the desert. Average annual precipitation is 6 inches.

Over the last few years, in the absence of a campground host, it has become common to camp in dispersed areas in and around the official campsites. As of Nov. 2020 BLM rangers are patrolling these illegal campsites and asking campers to leave. If you are not in a site with a shade structure, fire ring, and a picnic table you'll likely be kicked out. There are only 14 sites considered official/legal.

https://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/274437/1

481 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: New Jack City Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at New Jack City

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 280
Holey Moley
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 62
Getaway
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 303
Espresso
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 59
Catalina
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 153
The Scene Is Not For Sale
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 59
Hole In One
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 187
Gun For Hire
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 93
Crucified
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 45
Rainbow Drive
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 91
Crossfire
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 52
Freakshow
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 40
King of all Media
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 36
Lost In The Middle
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 13
Double Kneebar Ranch
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 11
The Travesty
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Holey Moley Box Canyon East > Raven Rocks > Raven Rocks N Face "P…
 280
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Getaway Box Canyon East > Getaway
 62
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Espresso Box Canyon East > Raven Rocks > Raven Rocks N Face "P…
 303
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Catalina Land That Time… > Bighorn Buttress
 59
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
The Scene Is Not For Sale Box Canyon East > Crossfire Crag
 153
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Hole In One Box Canyon East > Fairway
 59
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Gun For Hire Box Canyon East > Hueco Wall
 187
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Crucified Box Canyon East > Crucified Crag
 93
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Rainbow Drive Box Canyon West > Predator Wall > Predator Wall - S Face
 45
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Crossfire Box Canyon East > Crossfire Crag
 91
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Freakshow Box Canyon East > Fairway
 52
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
King of all Media Box Canyon East > Hidden Wall (aka The…
 40
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Lost In The Middle Entrance Area C… > Rdside Crag > Rdside Crag - S Face
 36
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Double Kneebar Ranch Box Canyon East > Crossfire Crag
 13
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
The Travesty Box Canyon West > Arch Rocks
 11
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in New Jack City »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading