Sheep Pass Area

Sheep Pass from Ryan Campground, Headstone in the ...

Description 

Sheep Pass is a large, vague area near the southeastern end of the broader Lost Horse Valley (technically, the pass, several miles east of Hidden Valley Campground on the main park road, divides Lost Horse Valley from Queen Valley, and the Sheep Pass group campground lies on the Queen Valley side of the pass, but most of the climbing is on the Lost Horse side of the pass). Incidentally, if you're coming with a group, Sheep Pass is the place to try to get a campsite -- but make your reservations way in advance.

The most prominent formation in the Sheep Pass area is the huge Saddle Rocks, which sit high up on the side of Ryan Mountain (which provides the eastern border of the Lost Horse Valley). Saddle Rocks can be seen from miles away, and their faces contain some of the longest climbs in the park. Other smaller areas in Sheep Pass include Cap Rock, Television Wall, Cowboy Crags, and the Ryan Campground area (notable for some nice bouldering, and of course the aptly-named Headstone Rock).

For a sparse area, however, Sheep Pass has several must-climb classics. Walk on the Wild Side (5.7+) is a classic, slabby 3-pitch ascent up the east face of Saddle Rocks, and the Headstone's SW Corner (5.6) and Cryptic (5.8) are deservedly popular routes to the top of a truly unique formation.

Getting There 

As noted above, Sheep Pass generally lies on or near the main park road, a few miles east of Hidden Valley Campground. Headstone Rock is best accessed from within Ryan Campground, and turnouts for Saddle Rocks, Cap Rock, and the group campground are clearly signed.

The Classics

Featured Route For Sheep Pass Area

Space Mountain 5.10b  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Saddle Rocks

One prominent feature on this part of Saddle Rocks is a large left-facing corner system (The Unicorner). Start up that climb for 20' then traverse right on a fairly awkward ledge passing a bolt until you reach a spot you can stand up. From here the climbs goes more or less straight up past 7 more bolts on steep, exposed and sometimes a little loose patina plates. There is a slight runout near the top but the climbing is much easier. Rap off the t...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Sheep Pass Area Slideshow

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Moonrise over Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Prickly Pear near Target Rock. photo by Blitzo.	Ryan Mountain-snow. Photo by Blitzo.
Top of Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Saddle Rocks and Cowboy Crags from the Sandy Wash ...	Planet X Pinnacle. Photo by Blitzo.
Bouldering near Saddle Rocks, Joshua Tree.	Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Cholla detail, Joshua Tree NP.
Blooming joshua tree near Cap Rock. Photo by Blitz...	Display at the Oyster Bar parking area, JTNP.	Cap Rock and Joshua Tree before sunset, JTNP.
Sunrise across the desert floor.	A nice collection of plants...	Joshua Tree sunset from Hall of Horrors, Joshua Tr...
Celebrating after an ascent of Headstone Rock, Jos...	Do you think the sheep did this? Or was it a shoe...	BETA PHOTO: Cavern Rock and Grotto Rocks