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Elevation: 3,712 ft
GPS: 33.93556, -116.07739
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 266,650 total · 1,211/month
Shared By: C Miller on Feb 17, 2006
Admins: Greg Opland, Mike Morley, C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Gunkswest
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The Geology Tour Road is an 18 mile dirt road loop which winds it's ways through the southern end of Queen Valley and the western end of Pleasant Valley where numerous rock formations can be found on either side of the road. Popular areas include the Virgin Isles, East Virgin Isles, The Lost Pencil and Jerry's Quarry.

The unpaved, but occasionally graded, Geology Tour Road is a fairly good dirt road with lots of washboards and ruts in the first few miles and then a fair bit of soft sand after that. While having a 4WD vehicle is not a necessity it is advisable to have a vehicle with a bit of clearance and one that you feel comfortable driving over the odd rough spot.

  •  Be aware that some of the parking spots have a fair bit of soft sand which can spell trouble for those without 4WD, especially if trying to turn around in it. Better to keep the vehicle pointed downhill and drive the extra bit to Squaw Tank where a good turnaround exists.

Getting There Suggest change

The turnoff for the Geology Tour Road is located in the center of the Queen Valley and across the road from the turnoff for the Desert Queen Mine Area.

 See the individual crags for more detailed approach information.

188 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Geology Tour Road

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 26
Lava Lamp
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 42
Trench Connection
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 88
Thumbs Down Left
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 35
Lechlinski Cracks
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 32
Mauna Loa
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 170
Light Sabre
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 46
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 81
Perpetual Motion
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 82
Cedric's Deep Sea Fish Market
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b PG13
 8
Centurion
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 30
Mauna Kea
Trad
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 10
Elephant Walk
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 13
Walking on the Moon
Trad
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 5
Number Two (aka the Weasel Boys…
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 81
Equinox
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Lava Lamp Towers of Uncer… > Lava Dome
 26
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
Trench Connection Towers of Uncer… > Crow's Nest
 42
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad
Thumbs Down Left Virgin Islands… > Star Wars Rock
 88
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Lechlinski Cracks Virgin Islands… > Lechlinski Crack Form…
 35
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Mauna Loa Towers of Uncer… > Lava Dome
 32
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Light Sabre Virgin Islands… > Star Wars Rock
 170
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Between a Rock and a Hard P… Virgin Islands… > Star Wars Rock
 46
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Perpetual Motion Virgin Islands… > Perpetual Motion Wall
 81
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Cedric's Deep Sea Fish Market Virgin Islands… > Star Wars Rock
 82
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Centurion Virgin Islands… > Diamond Clump > Centurion
 8
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b PG13 Trad
Mauna Kea Towers of Uncer… > Lava Dome
 30
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Elephant Walk Jerry's Quarry… > Jerry's Quarry
 10
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
Walking on the Moon Virgin Islands… > Star Wars Rock
 13
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
Number Two (aka the Weasel… Jerry's Quarry… > Lost Pencil
 5
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Equinox Jerry's Quarry… > Jerry's Quarry
 81
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad
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