PRINT: Rock Climbing in Iceberg Boulder Area, Joshua Tree National Park

Iceberg Boulder Area

California > Joshua Tree NP > Indian Cove > Rattlesnake Canyon

Access Issue: Temporary Closure in effect from April 3 to June 15, 2024 Details

Temporary Closure for Nesting Raptors
Date Posted: 4/4/2024
Due to the presence of nesting raptors, the following rock climbing areas are temporarily closed: Slatanic Area, Rattlesnake Buttress, Margaret Thatcher Spire, The Stepping Stones, The Bulkhead, The Dunce Cap, and Commissioner’s Buttress.

Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures 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.

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

Description

This area is centered around a large, lone standing boulder, approximately 50 feet tall and very clean, located west of the parking for Rattlesnake Canyon and the picnic area. There are nine bolted routes on this boulder and a handful of other routes (bolted and trad) in the area.

Getting There

Tucked slightly out of view around a left handed bend in a cove of rock about 100 yards west of the outhouse at the end of the dirt road that extends to picnic tables, but very obvious once you see it.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Iceberg Boulder Area from the road, Joshua Tree NP

Joshua Reinig styling up Boortemus

Iceberg Boulder. Photo by Blitzo.

East Face. Photo by Blitzo.

The Iceberg Boulder Area from the road, Joshua Tree NP

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

David Evans

Sounds like the Iceberg Boulder ought to be called "Pincushion Boulder" or "Grid Pattern Boulder" now. Doesn't sound too pretty. Aug 25, 2004

Louie Anderson
Ten Sleep, WY

Dave, if you haven't already you should go look at it. It's hardly a "pincushion." While several nice short, routes were added, the only two that seem close at all are Icebreaker and Deception. I really don't see the difference between climbing the obvious faces on a formation and climbing every possible crack line on a formation. To each their own I guess. Dec 13, 2004

Dave Cox

Got to love the 3rd class bolted routes to the right Baby Steps and Girl Power. Almost like a babysitter in the form of granite. I guess everything goes. Dec 14, 2004