Elephant Arches  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,401. Good page?    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Randy on Nov 19, 2003 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Elephant Arches from the Inauguron

Description 

This west facing formation lies in the Southern Wonderland of Rocks in a small north-south valley (Secret Valley). Secret Valley lies northeast of Disneyland Dome and southeast of Diarrhea Dome/Bighorn Mating Grotto. Inauguron Dome and Hard Rock are also found in Secret Valley, to the south and north, respectively, of Elephant Arches.

Elephant Arches is named for the natural arch found on its southern shoulder. Of the 5 recorded routes, the best are Black President (11a) and Vice President (10b R). A rappel anchor is found atop Black President. Alternatively, you may downclimb the southern shoulder of the formation (5.6) traversing over the arch.

Getting There 

The most straightforward approach is to walk out the Wonderland Valley from Uncle Willey's, continuing north past the Freak Brothers, Disneyland and Duckwaddle Domes. At a point approximately 400 yards north of Duckwaddle Dome, you should turn right (east) into a valley/wash [this is before the wash you turn into to reach Diarrhea Dome/Bighorn Mating Grotto]. Head east for about 350 yards (passing Gumby Dome). The terrain becomes more jumbled near the end; boulder hop over and down into Secret Valley. Elephant Arches will be to the left (north) and Inauguron Dome to the right (south).

The Classics

Featured Route For Elephant Arches

Black President 5.11a  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Elephant Arches

This is simply a great route and well worth the hike. The fact that several other fine routes are found nearby (and the now historically prescient nature of the route name) should put this on your "Must Do" list. This face and crack route begins just right of center of the formation, on the face just right of a recess/crack (Vice President). There is a large patch of cactus near the base. Moderate, but unprotected face climbing leads to a bolt which protects moves (easy 5.10) into a shallow crac...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA