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Morbid Mound Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Morbid Mound

L › R R › L A › Z

	'Til Death Do Us Fart T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
	3rd Class It T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	A Last Cigarette Senor? T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Ambulance Driver T 5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c
	Be Wary T 5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c
	Be Wary of Your Physician's Assistant TR 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Bouncer T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Brimstone Stairway T 5.1 2 6 II 7 MD 2a R
	Deadheads T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
	Disappearing Belayer T 5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
	DOA T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c X
	Flies on the Wound T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Fly in the Ointment TR 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Hillside Strangler T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
	Morituri Te Salutamus T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Myrmecocystus Ewarti T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c

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Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	3,200 ft	975 m
GPS:	34.0963, -116.1522 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	21,404 total · 74/month
Shared By:	Brian Reynolds on Jun 27, 2002
Admins:	Greg Opland, C Miller, Gunkswest, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures Details Details

The Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent's Compendium states that:
1. Vegetation is not allowed to be used as an anchor.
2. Only neutral or rock-colored bolt hangers are allowed. A permit is required to replace or add new bolts: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Seasonal Closures:
The presence of a nesting owl in very close proximity to a variety of climbing routes, "Right On," "Orange Flake," "Kid Caligula," requires closure until the nest has been abandoned to ensure the protection of the species for the duration of the nesting activities. This closure will be in effect from February 17, 2026 until June 7, 2026; or until the nest has been abandoned.

The presence of a prairie falcon nesting in very close proximity to a variety of climbing routes requires closure of "Fat Freddie’s Cat,” “Freak Brothers Dome,” “The Weenie,” “Pea Brain,” and “The Red Obelisk." This closure will be in effect from February 17, 2026 until June 7, 2026; or until the nest has been abandoned

For a complete list of climbing rules and closures visit: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Description

Crappy choss-pile out in the middle of the desert (north of the Indian Cove family camps and east of the group camps). Morbid is small (20-30 feet tall), grainy, and crumbly and, while there are a decent number of climbs, none of them are much to write home about. Neither Vogel nor Bartlett has much good to say about this rock, and it deserves its reputation.

Despite all of this, it is inexplicably popular with large TR groups -- park the van and unload the kids out to Morbid Mound. Fine, that's one less crowd on the better climbs.

Getting There

Morbid Mound is located several hundred yards north of Short Wall (or, alternatively, a couple hundred yards east of the intersection of Indian Cove Road and the group camp road). Easiest approach is probably to pull over onto the side of the Indian Cove Road near the group camp area and head east.

A better idea would be to skip this one and climb something else.