Marisa Fienup nears the top of P2 on the Tree Rout...
Description
The Tree Route is the true "trade route" of Dome Rock--expect to wait in line.
P1 (5.5, ~110 ft.): follow an obvious hand crack that heads right and then diagonals left to a large yellow pine. An excellent hand jam between the giant conifer and the rock allows you to pull past the tree and onto a generous ledge. From the ledge, climb a slab past intermittent cracks to the belay stance above a second, smaller pine tree. Belay takes 1/2" to 3/4"
P2 (5.6, 120 feet): truly classic for the grade! Jam and lieback an obvious handcrack. Look for excellent foot holds on the face to the left. The first 80 feet or so is sustained 1/2-3/4". Either carry extra gear of this size or leap-frog your gear up the crack with you. When this crack tapers and disappears, step left and follow intermittent thin cracks (TCUs helpful) to an obvious triangle shaped ledge/basin. Belay here (belay takes 2.5" to 3.5"--I often use two #3 camalots).
P3 (5.5, 110 feet): follow a large (4 to 5") crack, which eventually tapers and turns to a shallow, right-facing corner. Belay on an obvious ledge with three bolts.
P4 (5.6, 160 feet): the technical crux and truly memorable! Step off the belay ledge onto a delicate 5.6 slab. Clip a bolt and hope your feet stick. The slab eases and then gives way to a three-foot roof (protected by a bomber 2" piece). From here, the technical difficulties are over. A 3rd class slab leads for over a hundred feet to an obvious horizontal crack. Belay here (belay takes 1/2" to 3/4").
Location
Hike down the northern slope of Dome Rock until the obvious pine trees come into view. The approach takes about 10 minutes.
On a weekday we were lucky to have this fun little romp all to ourselves. Very friendly rock, and straightforward with easy routefinding. Description above is great. Feet stuck like glue to this rock. I felt like this was a soft 5.6. ie; definitely not like a slippery, "I want to go back home to Red Rock" Eldo 5.6, or a "You've got to be kidding" J-Tree 5.6, or like a "No f-ing way" Tahquitz 5.6. The Tree Route made me so happy that I was almost a Tree Hugger for a split second.
It was a perfect climb to finish off our nice rafting trip. Thanks Matthew F. for posting this on M.P.! : )
What fun! This is the most fun easy route I have ever encountered. Not much to say other than GO CLIMB IT. Nice views of the Needles, too. Stick the tree-handjam. Very unique!
when facing the top of the dome (from the parking lot) hike off to the left it is much faster this way. I went right and found the motorcycle remains and a few sweet looking boulders but the approach took more like 30 minutes!
Dome Rock
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