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Christmas Tree Pass

Nevada > Southern Nevada

Description

Desert domes of quartz monzonite on a ridge that rises from east to west. Rock quality is similar to Joshua Tree and approaches are varied, with some house-sized boulders complicating the approaches to the higher domes. Bounded on the south by Grapevine Canyon, a popular hike, and on the north by the road to Christmas Tree Pass, the area sees very few visitors. First developed from 1977 -1980 by Andy Solow and Dick Richardson, there was renewed development and ongoing bolt replacement in the early 2000s by John Gonzales, Gerry Cox, Mike Baca, and their SCMA crew. It is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Getting There

Located just 5 miles west (uphill) of Laughlin, NV off Highway 163, look for a signed dirt road (Christmas Tree Pass) on the right if coming from Laughlin. Turn right onto Christmas Tree Pass. Drive about 5-10 minutes passing Grapevine Canyon on your left, Sacatone Wash on the left, Piper Wash on your right, continue driving until you go down into a valley filled with granite-monozite on your left. Depending on what formation you are climbing you will want to park at different pullouts. Note: The main parking for Dali Dome/Frock Rock is on the left with a broken yellow gate.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

This is an update to a photo posted. Crags were name by those climbers who first attain the summits of these formations. The original names are posted here.
[Hide Photo] This is an update to a photo posted. Crags were name by those climbers who first attain the summits of these formations. The original names are posted here.
Christmas Tree Pass Panorama looking South.
[Hide Photo] Christmas Tree Pass Panorama looking South.
From left to right, Frock Rock (aka Nixon Tower), Dali Dome, H & R Block, Jacuzzi Dome and Space Needle. These crags were named by those climbers who top out first and gave a name to their crag.
[Hide Photo] From left to right, Frock Rock (aka Nixon Tower), Dali Dome, H & R Block, Jacuzzi Dome and Space Needle. These crags were named by those climbers who top out first and gave a name to their crag.
The rocks of Christmas Tree Pass
[Hide Photo] The rocks of Christmas Tree Pass
The rocks of Christmas Tree Pass
[Hide Photo] The rocks of Christmas Tree Pass
Don Porter and Mary Lorhman checking out the Petroglyphs at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon.
[Hide Photo] Don Porter and Mary Lorhman checking out the Petroglyphs at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon.
Quartz Monzonite rock shaped by years of wind and rain are found in the area.
[Hide Photo] Quartz Monzonite rock shaped by years of wind and rain are found in the area.
Not all Juniper Trees are decorated at the pass, one can find a peanuts version decorated somewhere out there.
[Hide Photo] Not all Juniper Trees are decorated at the pass, one can find a peanuts version decorated somewhere out there.
During the Christmas Season locals decorate the Juniper Trees at the pass, "hence the name Christmas Tree Pass".
[Hide Photo] During the Christmas Season locals decorate the Juniper Trees at the pass, "hence the name Christmas Tree Pass".
CTP has diverse weather, storms can be extreme, at one point one can be climbing in clear weather and hours later running for your life from lightning and hail. Its has snowed also.
[Hide Photo] CTP has diverse weather, storms can be extreme, at one point one can be climbing in clear weather and hours later running for your life from lightning and hail. Its has snowed also.
Petroglyphs greet you at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon; also known as Rattlesnake Canyon. A beautiful worthwhile hike! Looks like there is climbing potential deep in the canyon; scary OW cracks.<br> <br> Taken 3/11/08
[Hide Photo] Petroglyphs greet you at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon; also known as Rattlesnake Canyon. A beautiful worthwhile hike! Looks like there is climbing potential deep in the canyon; scary OW cracks.…
The coarse granite of Christmas Tree Pass.<br> Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] The coarse granite of Christmas Tree Pass. Photo by Blitzo.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Dirty Gri Gri, or is it GiGi?
Vegas
[Hide Comment] A great area to explore, to say the very least.

Don't forget to stop off in CalNevAri at their restaurant (bar, and casino). A favorite hang-out over the years on my desert runs. Their food is yummy, and they make many of their food items from scratch. FYI: may be more crowded on some weekends due to "Fly-Ins." A friendly bunch though. Mar 12, 2008
Andrew Solow
[Hide Comment] FYI: Most of the 30 or so routes that have been done at Christmas Tree Pass since 1976 - including Manny Rangel's - are posted at: rockclimbing.com/routes/Nor…

I just posted some photos on the Mountain Project site, but it's too much trouble to re-post all of the routes.

Andy Solow, San Francisco, CA Oct 18, 2009
Meghan C
Huntsville, AL
[Hide Comment] Weekend trips to X-mas Tree Pass? I live nearby and would love to climb here this winter. PM me if you'd like to climb here or other areas in this patch of desert. Nov 26, 2009
russellHOBART
Chapel Hill, NC
[Hide Comment] Great bad weather alternative to Red Rocks


We got snowed out in Red Rocks and this made for an adventure. It's not for the faint of heart. Every route we did (only 5 routes) peeled through layers of rock like an onion. Think of it as having the technical aspects of slab climbing with the flying projectile fun of ice climbing. That said we had a fantastic time and being granite we didn't have to wait for it to dry out after the rain. I'm trying to organize this section on MP and I don't know much about the area so if any locals have suggestions let me know. Feb 5, 2010
Gary Schenk
[Hide Comment] Been going there since 2002, and have helped with a lot of bolt replacement. There's quite a lot of new bolts in place. H and R Block, and Dali Dome have had the really bad ones replaced over the last few years.

Lots of routes, the page here barely scratches the surface. There's bad rock, and really good rock. Some very outstanding routes here, just a matter of finding them. Dec 5, 2013
sonvclimbing
bolder city
[Hide Comment] WARNING: this place is very much so, not dog friendly due to all the cholla cactus. Mar 11, 2014
Mark Fletcher
Clovis, CA
[Hide Comment] Climbers,

There is another draft management plan that proposes to restrict climbing here as well as remove climbs and bolts. Please comment by March 23 deadline. Go to the Access Fund Current Issues webpage to comment. Mar 13, 2014
Manny Rangel
PAYSON
[Hide Comment] I have done some climbing in this area and it is worth keeping open for climbing. Not all the cracks are clean enough to climb. There is a ton of climbing potential and quite a bit of bolt protected face.

To make your voice heard, please follow this link asap: accessfund.org/c.tmL5KhNWLr… Mar 13, 2014
BigB
Red Rock, NV
[Hide Comment] any new news on xmas tree? Sep 13, 2017
Manny Rangel
PAYSON
[Hide Comment] XTP climbing plan was finalized. Bolted routes remain as is and bolt removal triggers a collaborative effort. Continue climbing and post pics! I'll look for a link. Oct 6, 2017
Sam Elander
Salt Lake City, UT
[Hide Comment] And the Surprise face coordinates.

rockclimbing.com/routes/Nor… Sep 12, 2018
Jordy King
Durango, CO
[Hide Comment] Does anyone have information on camping on Christmas tree pass road? The BLM wilderness page says that camping is allowed per the usual restrictions... Having visited last year I remember a sign mentioning that camping is not allowed for motor vehicles but backpacking seems fine. Does anyone have any further information on camping in the area. Thank you! Jan 4, 2021
R.D. Tucker
Santa Clara utah
[Hide Comment] Any Insight on the rules for new route development? Can you place bolts? Do you need a permit to do so? I am interested in spending some time in this area and would love to contribute. Jan 10, 2023
Kyle Smith
Southern Nevada
[Hide Comment] @R.D. Tucker: Christmas Tree Pass is almost entirely designated wilderness; the Bridge Canyon Wilderness and Spirit Mountain Wilderness. Almost all of the area is Lake Mead NRA, while a little bit of it is BLM land (looks like the far west side). You'll have to check specifically with these agencies, but the wilderness designation means absolutely no power drills. The Lake Mead designation quite possibly means no bolts even if hand drilled, the National Park Service is usually more restrictive than the BLM when it comes to bolts.

All this is to say that it doesn't seem likely there's much possibility to legally develop much at Christmas Tree Pass. Additionally, while perhaps I don't have the eye for it, I haven't seen much rock that looks worthwhile to develop on my own explorations in the area. Jan 12, 2023
cliffmama
[Hide Comment] Looks like the Spirit Mountain area is on track to become a National Monument.
outsideonline.com/adventure… Jan 25, 2023
eric schweitzer
Bend, OR
[Hide Comment] I really enjoyed the area. But if I could do it all over again I would probably leave the heavy pack with the climbing gear in the car and just head out with some gloves , a hiking stick, a thick pair of pants and some cholla-proof approach shoes and go wander around the Labyrinths of boulders and maybe even gain a ridgeline for a vista. Jan 19, 2024
Ryan M
California
[Hide Comment]
  • ALL BOLTING IS ILLEGAL*
On 02/12/2024 I was camping out there and ran into a ranger and asked about bolting laws, they said that ANY HAMMERING, DRILLING OR BOLTING IS BANNED AND WILL GET YOU FINED PRETTY HARD, the ranger said that bouldering is complelty allowed and we can climb all of the old bolted routes BUT we cannot replace the old hangers and bolts. He said this is all to try and heal the area and return it to nature. While I agree with that statement it is dumb that hunting is still allowed on that land I’ve found tons of old bullet casings and rusty bolts harm the rock so if they really care they would replace them but it’s all bureaucratic bs.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL ON OLD BOLTS, they are held in by decades old window caulking and rust, I have a video I’ll share of me removing one with just a couple tugs no harder than a nail they are barely life trusting don’t risk it and at least just know what your clipping to truly Feb 16, 2024
Tom Ponte
Las Vegas, NV
[Hide Comment] The ranger said no new or replacement bolting "this is all to try and heal the area and return it to nature" This area seems to be in good shape to me. I did not see much evidence of grazing past or present, not much in the way of ATV abuse or illegal dumping and pretty minimal climbing use. My guess is that it is part of a National Rec area and they can be over regulated. I found cross country travel to be ok and there was no regular patrol on a weekday to tell us we could not camp on the side of the road. There are very few side roads or pull outs to car camp. There are a couple of pull outs north of the Dali Dome. Do not miss the Petroglyphs at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon. It is only a quarter mile hike into those. Those were some of the best I have seen and as good as anything in the Valley of Fire. 1 day ago