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Playhouse Rock Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Playhouse Rock

L › R R › L A › Z

	Anthrax T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Baby Ice Dog T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Balancing Act T,TR 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13
	Beck's Bear T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Break a Leg T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Curtain Call T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Dress Rehearsal T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Fighting the Slime T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Final Act T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Hi-Desert Playhouse TR 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	I'm So Embarrassed For You T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Irritators, The T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Kline's Incline TR 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Leading Lady T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	OC Gym Trad T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
	Playwright, The T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Psycho Groove T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Stucca By a Yucca T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b

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Elevation:	4,176 ft	1,273 m
GPS:	34.02195, -116.17567 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	34,702 total · 122/month
Shared By:	Woody Stark on Mar 15, 2003
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

Playhouse Rock sits near and to the south of Hemingway Buttress. It faces east and is one of the more popular formations in the park with numerous routes of varying difficulty on the east side. There are at least two sets of rappel anchors on top and down climbing is easy off the southeast end. It's an excellent formation for working with novice climbers: A 5.4, a couple of sixes and numerous sevens; good quality rock; most routes are easily protected and all the routes are one pitch. Further, there are excellent eights and nines. A couple of the nines, I believe, are underrated by a point.

Getting There

Playhouse sits a short distance to the south of Hemingway Buttress. You can now park at the lot used for Hemingway or the pullout a few yards further up the road. The approach is no more than ten minutes.

18 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Playhouse Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 106 ● Dress Rehearsal Trad
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 45 ● The Irritators Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 6 ● Anthrax Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 86 ● Psycho Groove Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13 6 ● Balancing Act Trad, TR