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Stirrup Towers

California > Joshua Tree NP > Pinto Basin > Stirrup Tank
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

The Stirrup Towers consist of a series of crags oriented northwest to southeast for a few hundred yards.

Individual rock formations on the west side, from north to south, include the (a) Star Trek Tower, (b) Frolic Towers, (c) Pyramid Tower and (d) The Stirrup.

 The routes are generally moderate in grade (5.8 - 5.10), on fairly good quality rock and are mixed or bolt protected.

The Mental Block, on the east side, sports two excellent bolted climbs that share the initial bolt and anchor. Paranoia (5.11b) ascends a steep face on edges while Manic Depression (5.11b) involves smearing on shallow depressions.

The Hand Grenade Corridor is near the north end of the Stirrup towers, east of the Frolic Towers and is hidden from view. The best routes are Hand Grenade (5.10a), a fun hand to fist crack climb and Horseshoe (5.11c), a steep, runout face climb to hand crack.

Getting There

The northern edge of the Stirrup Towers are easily accessed by walking east from the Stirrup Tank parking lot.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The Stirrup.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] The Stirrup. Photo by Blitzo.
Pyramid Tower and The Stirrup, Joshua Tree NP
[Hide Photo] Pyramid Tower and The Stirrup, Joshua Tree NP
Star Trek Tower.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Star Trek Tower. Photo by Blitzo.
Stirrup Towers in afternoon light. Beam Me Up Scotty climbs the free-standing tower on the left.
[Hide Photo] Stirrup Towers in afternoon light. Beam Me Up Scotty climbs the free-standing tower on the left.