It's a long toss. I'm sticking that sucker next t...
Description
Joe's Valley is one of the world's premier bouldering destinations. The sandstone boulders that line the hillsides are seemingly made for climbing: the rock is textured but skin-friendly, it's featured yet strong, and the landings are generally fantastic. Approaches are almost all 5 minutes or less, and many of the most popular boulders are just a stone's throw from the car.
There are hundreds of established boulder problems at the various areas within Joe's Valley, and yet a quick glance at the innumerable boulders farther up the hills hint at even more untapped potetntial for world-class bouldering.
While there are problems of every grade at Joe's, it is my impression that the best experience will be had at V4 and above.
Getting There
Joe's Valley is just outside of the town of Orangeville, UT. Take Hwy. 29 west out of Orangeville. Shortly after leaving town you can either take a right onto Route 57 to go to New Joe's, or you can keep going straight until the road branches into the Left and Right forks.
Driving time is around 2 hours from SLC, 6-7 hours from the Front Range in Colorado, 14 from Portland, etc.
Food and Supplies
There are a handful of stores in Orangeville, but the best place to go for food is the Food Barn. They even have copies of the Utah Bouldering guide in case you forgot to pick it up before heading out.
Camping
There are 3 main areas that are well-suited for camping at Joe's. Two are in the Right Fork at .9 miles up and 2.4 miles up (the first being at the Man Size area, the second at the Boux area)-- both are on the left. The third campground is 1.2 miles up the Left Fork.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Joe's Valley:
Sit start on the wicked tufa. Reach up left to a sloper then right up to flake. Big rock over left to the arete and top out to the right. Top out is a little freaky (but we like it freaky, yo!)...[more]Browse More Classics in UT
Here are some more detailed directions to get to Joe's Valley for ice climbing. These directions are from SLC.
Take the Spanish Fork exit (258?) off of I-15 to US-6, like going to Moab. Take the second Price exit to Hwy 10. Follow for 22 miles to Huntington. Continue for another 6 miles to the sign that indicates Joe's Valley on the right. This is Hwy 29. Follow this until the "T" intersection, and bear right. Follow this into Straight Canyon, and eventually to the reservoir. Most of the ice is in Straight Canyon, with some more up by the reservoir.
Also, here is a link to a remote weather station in Joe's Valley. www.met.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=JVAU1. You can view weather history, up to 30 days. However, the station is located at 8000 feet. Keep this in mind when making the decision whether to head down or not.
I would recommend the Video Guide to Joe's Valley a film by Nathan Cando, it goes through 28 of the classic problems and also a guidebook that plays during the movie. Found wherever climbing videos are available.
I hear (&see as posted) October is great at Joe's, but what about Mid to Late September? too hot? just right early morning late afternoon? or shady spots of canyon? Any beta the Sept weather would be sweet: thanks!
Haha, I don't know about "seasoned", but Caldiero's new guide came out recently, it is pretty easy to follow and It has most of the newer problems listed.
By Kegan Minock From: colorado springs Nov 3, 2011
why buy a guide book when mountain project has their app?!
A large organic pad (grey with green & blue streaks) and a black diamond drop zone were stollen from the Left Fork of Joe's Valley on Nov 3rd. The pads were briefly left on the side of the road beneath the gentleman's project just past the riverside parking area. Please contact Matt at 973-220-8222 or mpincus87@gmail.com with any information. Thanks
missing organic pad Submitted By: Kieran on Nov 4, 2011
I just got back from a trip to Joe's and I found Isaac's guidebook to be great (a million times better than anything else out there) as far as getting you to the areas and boulders. The pictures are great and do the rock justice. Some of the grades seemed off, A few route descriptions are not accurate (like Resident Evil) and there are some funny spelling mistakes (it's "Remnants" not "remnence) but I found that easy to ignore. The only thing I hate about it is the move-by-move beta description for each climb. I believe a proper guidebook should have clear description of start holds, finish and the line followed, nothing more.
I also noticed a lot of other climbers with the guide and no one was burning thier copy, so it can't be all bad
@ Hoboken Depending on the winter we're having, YES, you can absolutely go and camp in the winter.
I was there on new year's and temps never dipped below freezing at night, and during the day in the sun it felt around 60 degrees. T-shirt weather no problem
Some winter nights can definitely be miserable though, so always keep an eye on weather.
Honestly, it all depends on the year. I've climbed in January with no snow on the ground in some years, while other years you're post holing through 3 feet of snow. I would keep an eye on the webcams for the area (google it!) and see how things are playing out. If it's relatively snow free on the ground, go for it. As long as you're in the sun, you'll most likely be warm enough. If it gets too cold or snowy, bail to Moab or St. George. Camping will be cold though...
Hey everyone! A couple of friends and I are flying out to SLC to climb at Joe's over this Veteran's Day weekend, and are trying to figure out the most cost efficient way of finding crash pads. I've been looking around SLC and Price (where we're staying) for stores that rent pads, but haven't had too much luck. We're also considering Saran-wrapping several pads together and sending it as one oversized baggage for the $100/per way fee. Wondering if some of you awesome Utah locals could help us out:
1) Do you know any places that rent pads?
2) If you live nearby Joe's, or are on the way to Joe's from SLC via Price, would you be interested in renting out a few pads for the weekend (Sat-Mon)? We'd be willing to pay you in cash and/or beer, and leave ID's/deposit in case you feel uneasy. If you have 2-4 pads, that would be great!
I want to go to Joes/Ibex/Triassic in mid-March or should I go mid-April? I have to book holidays and I want more sun than snow/rain. What do you suppose locals, is the better choice? THANKS!!
If you want a better chance of warmer weather and less snow (both on the ground and potentially falling from the sky), go in Mid-April. Mid-March can still be pretty hit or miss regarding the weather. The good thing about going in mid-April is that even if it's on the warm side, you can always find thins in the shade and/or go to higher elevations like Dairy Canyon. Hope that helps.
Hello All! I am a Recreation Resource Management student at USU working with the Forest Service. I am going to be surveying the Joes Valley bouldering areas and conducting some user surveys. I would love any comments/input about the area, really anything at all, but we are mostly concerned about improving the area and adding facilities. Drop me an email with questions, concerns, or just to familiarize me more with the area. Thanks! Molly --- molly.hocanson@aggiemail.usu.edu
I am looking at doing an extended trip to Joes Valley (3ish weeks) and I would not have a car. I had a few questions to see if this might be possible.
How close is the camping to town? How close is the camping to the climbing? What is the vibe/crowd like in early april? Would it be easy to meet people to climb with and go into town with?
These may be stupid questions, but I would love to hear from some one who knows the area better if they thing this it is possible to do.
While beer is always a plus, I haven't had a drink in Utah under 6% in years? JS has one good point, a kind offering of any nature will take the sting out of stuffing you into someone's already packed car?
The camping is about 2 to 3 miles from town. The camping is at the climbing. The vibe/crowd is great, just a few douchebags from denver?
I don't believe you'll have any problems at all? Meeting good folks down there is easy. The earlier/later you go the better, in the summer its a bit of a ghost town.
When are you thinking of going? I don't quite have the free time I used too, but if I'm down there when you are? I'll help zip you around.
You can find spots to climb in Joe's Valley YEAR ROUND, especially with the recent developments up in Dairy Canyon, where the elevation is around 8,500 ft.
Climbing Dec-Feb is very possible. Some weeks temps are in the 50's and it's all dry, some weeks are below freezing with snow everywhere.
Best time to go is March to May and then again around September through November depending on snow.
I don't really like going in April since all the spring breakers swarm the area, and my favorite time to go is late fall.
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