BETA PHOTO: A view of the Mary Worth Buttress from the trail
Description
This is the first tall crag encountered on the way to the Comic Strip, the large formation the route Comic Book (5.9) is found on. Routes on this formation face southwest so plan on lots of sun unless you get there early in the morning. Climbs tend to be traditionally bolted face climbs on decent rock-fun but not the best in the Park-in a nice quiet setting. Here one can escape the circus-like atmosphere of Echo Rock and other popular spots.
The climbs range from the well protected Bottle In Front Of Me (5.10a) to the fun, two pitch Welcome To Joshua Tree (5.10c). There aren't many routes to do here but it is a nice area to check out. Often when several parties are at the Comic Strip one can climb in solitude at this crag.
Getting There
Parking area for the Comic Book area is about 1/2 mile from the Echo Rock parking area in some turnouts. The Comic Book is easily visible as a large group of rocks set against a hillside, and in fact the namesake climb Comic Book is visible from certain spots of Hidden Valley Campground. The trail, which is marked with brown Access fund markers starts from the south (right if heading to Barker Dam) side of the road and winds it's way through the desert to the various formations.