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Morbid Mound

California > Joshua Tree NP > Indian Cove > Indian Cove Cam… > Indian Cove CG East
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

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.

Routes from Left to Right

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 2
● 3rd Class It
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c X
 9
● DOA
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 28
● Bouncer
Trad
5.1 2 6 II 7 MD 2a R
 63
● Brimstone Stairway
Trad
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 14
● Deadheads
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 55
● Flies on the Wound
Trad
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 31
● Hillside Strangler
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 5
● Fly in the Ointment
TR
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 20
● Disappearing Belayer
Trad
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c
 43
● Be Wary
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 5
● Be Wary of Your Physician's Assi…
TR
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c
 37
● Ambulance Driver
Trad
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 25
● Myrmecocystus Ewarti
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 2
● Morituri Te Salutamus
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 5
● 'Til Death Do Us Fart
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 2
● A Last Cigarette Senor?
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● 3rd Class It
 2
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● DOA
 9
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c X Trad
● Bouncer
 28
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● Brimstone Stairway
 63
5.1 2 6 II 7 MD 2a R Trad
● Deadheads
 14
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
● Flies on the Wound
 55
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
● Hillside Strangler
 31
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
● Fly in the Ointment
 5
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c TR
● Disappearing Belayer
 20
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Trad
● Be Wary
 43
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c Trad
● Be Wary of Your Physician's…
 5
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b TR
● Ambulance Driver
 37
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c Trad
● Myrmecocystus Ewarti
 25
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
● Morituri Te Salutamus
 2
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● 'Til Death Do Us Fart
 5
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
● A Last Cigarette Senor?
 2
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Roadrunner on top of Morbid Mound.<br> Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Roadrunner on top of Morbid Mound. Photo by Blitzo.
Morbid Mound and afternoon light, Joshua Tree NP
[Hide Photo] Morbid Mound and afternoon light, Joshua Tree NP
Morbid Mound from the south, Joshua Tree NP
[Hide Photo] Morbid Mound from the south, Joshua Tree NP
Morbid Mound.<br> Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Morbid Mound. Photo by Blitzo.
Morbid Mound, Joshua Tree NP
[Hide Photo] Morbid Mound, Joshua Tree NP
Disappearing Belayer
[Hide Photo] Disappearing Belayer

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Blitzo
[Hide Comment] A fun place for easy soloing. Watch out for bees! Sep 29, 2006
Brian in SLC
Sandy, UT
[Hide Comment] Fun routes for the grade, short approach, nice location, warm on a sunny cold day, with pretty ok rock. Added bonus is there's no road traffic. Good little place to take a few folks for some mellow, easier climbs. Jan 4, 2010
Mary Moser
Kirkland, AZ
[Hide Comment] It's kind of funny how the initial description makes Morbid Mound sound so much more morbid than it is. Especially since those who have climbed here have given the routes some stars. Just a silly observation! Jan 31, 2011
Sue Hopkins
San Diego.
[Hide Comment] I have no idea why poor old morbid mound is deserving of such shade. It is no longer crumbly, the climbs have been cleaned up by the tiny feet of countless boy scouts. There is a decent assortment of moderate climbs (need gear for anchors), the hike is trivial, and the place is a beach, sheltered and sunny. The perfect place to knock off some routes on a cold windy day when you’ve beat the crap out of yourself in the days prior, or you are feeling low commitment. Nov 26, 2023