South Astro Dome   Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  4,400' Lat, Long:  34.0382, -116.1469 Map Page Views:  38,124. Good page?    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Joe Collins on Jun 26, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

South Astro Dome

Description 

These awesome domes lie in the heart of the Wonderland of Rocks and sport some of the longest routes in the park. Classics include Solid Gold (10a) and Such a Savage (11a). The climbing is characterized by steep face climbing on small edges protected by bolts. Remember though, that these climbs were put up in the days of the bolt-on-lead ethic, and ARE NOT SPORT CLIMBS. Just because these routes aren't given an "R" (by tradition) doesn't mean you won't encounter significant runouts with dangerous fall potential: a small rack is usually useful to supplement the fixed gear on these routes. The majority of the routes on these domes face northeast and thus can be quite cold in the winter and see little sun. That being said a warm day in January brings ideal climbing conditions if you don't mind being a little chilly.

The South Astro Dome can be descended by 2 rappels from the top of My Laundry (one 60 ft and one 90 ft).

Getting There 

Directions are difficult in the Wonderland. It is best to bring a good map to help locate the Astro Domes.

From the Barker Dam parking area, follow the trail north towards the Dam. When you reach the lakebed, continue north through the lakebed (if dry) or cross at the dam. Continue north through the Wonderland until you reach the enormous Don Juan Boulder. At this point veer towards the South Astro Dome and clamber up slabs to a notch which provides an excellent vantage point of the walls. Descend to the route of choice.

The Classics

Featured Route For South Astro Dome

Solid Gold 5.10a  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : South Astro Dome - Northeas...

What a great route! This classic route takes a magnificent line up the northeast face of the South Astro Dome in two great pitches. Well worth the thirty minute walk and potential wait if others are already on it. Be advised that this wall can be extremely cold in the winter months.Start down and right from the highpoint of some blocks stacked against the face (roughly 75') at a prominent gold streak. P1) Climb the steep gold streak past 6 bolts and many sharp edges to a belay on a ledge ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

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BETA PHOTO: Capri Slacks points out the Don Juan boulder. An e...	South Astro Dome. Photo by Blitzo.	The Solid Gold Gold Streak. Photo by Blitzo.
South Astro Dome East Face. Photo By Jeff Laina.	South Astro Dome