The Valley Of Kings

Description 

This spectacular valley lies deep in the northern Wonderland of Rocks. It lies south of Rattlesnake Canyon and east of Lemon & Lime Domes. Routes are up to 200 feet or more in length, though most are about 100 feet long. There are 5 formations with established routes: The Helmet, The Lynch Crag, The Trad Crag, The Arrowhead, and The Corrugated Wall Climbers made tentative explorations into this area at least 25 years ago and later a few easier multipitch routes were established on The Trad Crag, However, no serous development occurred until the early 1990s.

Getting There 

This valley is best approached from Indian Cove (though it can be approached from Willow Hole, by passing down (east) the rocky gully between Lemon and Lime Domes). From the Rattlesnake Canyon Picnic Area, head up the Rattlesnake Canyon wash for about 400 yards; where the wash makes a sharp left turn (this is where you head right to reach the Corral Wall), the terrain become more jumbled; stay right of the wash/rocky stream on slabs until you head up through a notch; above drop back into the main wash. Follow the wash as it turns right (west)and levels and continue west for several hundred yards; past The Pyramid and Commissioner's Buttress.

At this point you can see a huge boulder field (the actual watercourse of the Wonderland Wash) coming down the hillside to your left (south). Head up this toward a notch in the hillside. Where the watercourse levels a bit, stay right and eventually reach a large relatively level valley. The Helmet will be seen almost directly ahead, the Valley of Kings runs to the left (east). Lemon & Lime Domes will be seen off to the right. Plan on about 1 hour to reach this point.

Featured Route For The Valley Of Kings

Eagle Talons 5.12a  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : The Corrugated Wall

Begin at the base of the west facing overhanging Corrugated Wall and climb past eight bolts on excellent rock to sport anchors. Reachy and powerful moves are encountered between the 6th and 8th bolts. This is yet another classic climb in The Valley Of Kings (4 out of 5 stars)!...[more]