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Rusty Wall

California > Joshua Tree NP > Central Joshua… > Echo Rock Area
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

What the Rusty Wall lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. There are two excellent, steep cracks to climb here: O'Kelley's Crack (5.10c) on the right and Wangerbanger (5.11c) to the left.

Getting There

From Echo Tee, hang a left and, if driving, park where the dirt road ends at a gate, which is the entrance to Keys Ranch. Walk west towards the obvious orange-colored wall. Approach time: 10 minutes.

Routes from Left to Right

5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 1
● Slapshot
Trad
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 297
● Wangerbanger
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 412
● O'Kelley's Crack
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13
 17
● Riddles in the Dark (aka Ok Crank)
Trad
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 6
● Finish What You Started
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b V0 4
 15
● Cameltoe Crack
Trad, Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Slapshot
 1
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad
● Wangerbanger
 297
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
● O'Kelley's Crack
 412
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
● Riddles in the Dark (aka Ok…
 17
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 Trad
● Finish What You Started
 6
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
● Cameltoe Crack
 15
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b V0 4 Trad, Boulder

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Rusty Wall, showing [[105722356]] (L) and [[105722353]] (R).
[Hide Photo] Rusty Wall, showing Wangerbanger (L) and O'Kelley's Crack (R).
Angelina climbing smoothly through the crux of Wangerbanger.
[Hide Photo] Angelina climbing smoothly through the crux of Wangerbanger.
Rusty Wall from approach.<br> Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Rusty Wall from approach. Photo by Blitzo.
Anchor and rap chains above Slapshot. Chains are pretty rusty but look/feel solid.
[Hide Photo] Anchor and rap chains above Slapshot. Chains are pretty rusty but look/feel solid.
2 bolt anchor with chains above Slapshot (climber's left of Wangerbanger). A 60m rope gets you down.
[Hide Photo] 2 bolt anchor with chains above Slapshot (climber's left of Wangerbanger). A 60m rope gets you down.
Rusty Wall from the road, Joshua Tree NP
[Hide Photo] Rusty Wall from the road, Joshua Tree NP
Rusty Wall.<br> Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Rusty Wall. Photo by Blitzo.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

tom donnelly
san diego
[Hide Comment] As you take the trail west from the parking area towards Rusty wall, the trail goes between 2 rocks, and then branches off to the right from the main trail.
Do not continue on the main trail; it is private property. Often the No Trespassing signs are stolen. Rusty Wall is near the boundary and Aussie Foods Wall is almost right on the boundary. Anything to the west and southwest of those Walls is private property, where target shooting is legal. Dec 5, 2014
Cosmic Hotdog
California
[Hide Comment] Descent beta: There’s a 2 bolt anchor with chains you can rap from above Slapshot (the furthest route climbers left) Apr 19, 2025