S-Crack Formation  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  581. Good page?    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Brian Reynolds on Feb 10, 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

Description 

Although it is relatively small, the S-Crack Formation's slightly overhang and constantly shaded dark rock give it a slightly ominous appearance on first glance. This is a great little crag, however -- if not for its relatively remote location out past the Lost Horse Ranger Station, it would probably get a lot more traffic than it does. The solid, well-textured rock is some of the best I've climbed on in Joshua Tree.

The centerpiece of the wall are (surprise, surprise), the Left, Middle, and Right S-Cracks, which go at 5.8, 5.11, and 5.9, respectively. (To be perfectly fair, the Middle S Crack is the only one that's really shaped like an S, but I'm willing to overlook that if you are ...) A small pinnacle just to the left offers another 5.11 and a couple more climbs in the 5.8/5.9 range.

The S-Cracks are a bit of a hike, and don't get much traffic, making them a great destination for crowded weekends. They face north-northwest, so the climbs are in the shade most of the day. There's an easy walk-off back and west from the top of the main formation.

Getting There 

Park on the Lost Horse Road, at the point where the gate prevents you from driving any further. This parking area is shared with Atlantis, Super Creeps, and a host of other formations, and it usually fills up early. Continue hiking down the road past the gate. After 5-10 minutes, the road turns left and passes the Lost Horse Ranger Station on the right -- keep walking, keeping to the right at a fork. In a couple more minutes, the road will start to loop back around to the right and the S-Crack Formation will appear on your left. A short cross-country walk will get you to the base of the climbs. (If you keep walking down the road for a few more minutes, you'll find a small picnic area and a pit toilet).

Featured Route For S-Crack Formation

Left S-Crack 5.8  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : S-Crack Formation

The Left S-Crack is not S-shaped at all (then again, neither is the Right S-Crack). It sure is a lot of fun, though. Wide crack and stem moves down low get you to a slight rest about two-third of the way up. Then it's a great slightly-overhanging jug-fest to the top. There's no real crux section to this climb, and nothing's too hard, thanks to great hands that appear just as you need them. This is a great route to run laps on.The climb starts a few feet to the left of my yellow and black pa...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of S-Crack Formation Slideshow

Add Photo

S-Crack Formation. Photo by Blitzo.

Yabo Boulder. Photo by Blitzo.