Real Hidden Valley Bouldering

Darin sticking it on SNL. April '06.

Description 

Real Hidden Valley Bouldering is made up of the Real Hidden Valley Circuit, which is centered around the namesake Real Hidden Valley, and the Turtle Rock Circuit, which is just to the south and centered about the large mass of Turtle Rock.

The Real Hidden Valley Circuit has a number of good problems from V-easy to V6, most of which are scattered about various boulders near the entrance to Real Hidden Valley proper although there are exceptions. Notable problems include the highball Betty Jo Yablonksi (V0) up a vertical face with horizontals to an exciting finish, Saturday Night Live (V4) a much photographed and kinesthetically pleasing dyno problem and Kirkatron (V5) a shorter but more difficult version of the ever popular Gunsmoke.

The Turtle Rock Circuit is the more extensive of the two and has a wide range of problems from V-easy to V11 with many quality problems V5 and under making this a great area for easy to moderate boulering. Some of the better problems here include Classic Curl (V0+), Turtle Face Center (V2), Block Party (V3), Digitalis Destructi (V4 R) and So High (V5 R).

Getting There 

Park in the large Real Hidden Valley parking area (it can get very crowded on the weekends and during the holidays and spring break) and make a short walk to the boulders. Betty Jo Yablonski and the aptly named Entrance Boulder are visible at the start of the nature trail, while the Saturday Night Live Boulder lies to the west along a trail on the way to Houser Buttress.

Featured Route For Real Hidden Valley Bouldering

Saturday Night Live V4  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : Saturday Night Live Boulder

This is an entertaining boulder problem 20 yards from the Real Hidden Valley Parking lot. Park and walk west, as per Loose Lady. After 5-6 seconds of hiking, look over your right shoulder. You'll see a big scoop with a chalky handhold on the left. Grab the hold, smear your feet and dyno to the lip. Then make an easy mantel to finish the job.A rating on this one is pretty meaningless......[more]