Mel's Diner  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  4,100' Lat, Long:  34.0286, -116.1829 Map Page Views:  3,414. Good page?    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Chris Owen on Feb 2, 2003 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Short and sweet.

Description 

At just about the time you hit Keys Corner Parking Lot, if you look to the right you'll see this crag across the desert floor blooming in the early morning sun. If you park at the pullout past Keys Corner you will probably be able to identify Right and Left Mel Cracks, the standout climbs of the crag.

The crag has climbs on the lower tier and on upper tiers to the left and right of the Mel Cracks.

Not a popular crag, but a good place on a warm day to spend time in the shade honing your skills on steep clean cracks which range anywhere from 5.8 up to 5.11c.

Getting There 

From Entrance West pass Keys Corner Parking Lot and then turn right onto the Lost Horse Dirt Road. Park in the second pullout to the left.

Hike basically west, following a faint use trial, across the desert floor, about 15/20 minutes.

The Classics

Featured Route For Mel's Diner

Right Mel Crack 5.10c  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Mel's Diner

A good climb with a fierce little crux.After a few opening moves the crux arrives all too soon; from a good small wire placement, execute very iffy lie-away moves to gain a slot, small cam. From here good holds lead to a welcome rest and re-group. Small wires help with the confidence on a tricky high-step sequence that comes next. The crack now relents (large cam), so take a deep breath and enjoy....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

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BETA PHOTO	BETA PHOTO: Mel's Diner showing Right and Left Mel Cracks	BETA PHOTO: Mel's Diner. Photo by Blitzo.
BETA PHOTO: Mel's Diner