All Locations > California > Joshua Tree NP > Central Joshua… > Comic Book Area > Watergate Rock Area

Watergate Rock Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Watergate Rock

L › R R › L A › Z

	Crooked Beat TR 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Dark Art TR 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Dirty Tricks T 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
	Fifteen Minute Gap T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	H.R. Hardman T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
	I Am Not a Crook T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Malicious Deception T 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
	Midday Lightning S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Nick of Time S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Pardon Me T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Political Asylum T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Soul Sacrifice TR 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	T-N-T S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	T. Gordon Liddy T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Tricky Dick S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Unsightly Blemishes T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	White Collar Crime T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	White House Plumbers TR 5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c

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Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	4,400 ft	1,341 m
GPS:	34.0115, -116.14631 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	16,908 total · 61/month
Shared By:	C Miller on Nov 6, 2003
Admins:	Greg Opland, C Miller, Gunkswest, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Salamanizer Ski Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

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

Sitting all alone on the desert floor, across from the Cerro Torre Tower and the Comic Strip, is this smallish dome with a large number of routes from 5.6 to 5.12+ on it's less than vertical northeast face.

Many of the routes here are slabby in nature and in the 5.6 to 5.9 range; a few harder offerings are here as well.