All Locations > California > Joshua Tree NP > Queen Valley Area > Geology Tour Rd

The Galapagos Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in The Galapagos

Darwin Dome 5 / 0 / 3 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 9

Evolution Rock 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Finch Dome 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 2

Iguana, The 10 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 11

Monkey Dome 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

Rainbow Wall (aka Burl Ives Dome ) 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

Tortuga, The 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5

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:	4,300 ft
GPS:	33.9571, -116.1205 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	38,453 total · 180/month
Shared By:	Randy on Sep 18, 2006
Admins:	Greg Opland, C Miller, Gunkswest, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures 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.

For a complete list of climbing rules and closures visit:
nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Description

This is one of the more remote areas in Joshua Tree. There are at least nine small to mostly large formations clustered on the desert plains west of Geology Tour Road and southwest of Ryan Mountian.

A fair number of nice crack routes and some bolted face climbs are found scattered amongst the formations. Routes are located on various sides of the rocks, making it possible to chase the sun or shade, depending on the weather.

Formations include: San Cristabal and Santa Cruz Islands (the north-western most Galapogos formations), Boredom Rock, The Tortuga, The Iguana, Finch Dome, Evolution Rock, the Rainbow Wall and Darwin Dome (from north to south).

Getting There

There are two primary approaches for this area. Plan on an 1.25+ hour hike for either approach.

Approach 1: Park at Ryan Campground and from the very southern end of the campground take the California Riding and Hiking Trail southeast. Follow this through the pass south of Ryan Mountian to a point where the trail turns and heads northeast (2.4 miles). From here, hike southeast 0.6 miles to the reach the area (3.0 miles).

Approach 2: Park at Pullout No. 4 along Geology Tour Road and head pretty much directly west (passing south of Rocky Marciano) until you cross a large wash (Island in the Stream lies just north of here). Continue slightly uphill and west to reach this area (2.5 miles).