Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Sidewinder Rock - West Face

California > Joshua Tree NP > Hidden Valley Area > Outback > Steve Canyon Area > Steve Canyon
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

Guarding the mouth of Steve Canyon and facing The Orc Wall is this popular west-facing wall with a dozen or so crack and face climbs from 5.4 to 5.12b with half in the 5.10+ and under range. The normal descent is a 70 foot rappel from bolts atop King Pin .

Some of the better routes here include Skinny Pin (5.5 R), Skinny Dip (5.7 R), Sidewinder (5.10b), Diamondback (5.10c), Invisible Touch (5.10d) and Jumping Jack Crack (5.11a).

Getting There

Two approaches for getting to the mouth of Steve Canyon are as follows:

Approach from the large lot at Hidden Valley Campground walk along the west face of the Old Woman using a well-worn trail which leads directly to the mouth of Steve Canyon proper.

Park in one of several paved turnouts along Park Blvd. a short distance to the north of the turn into the Hidden Valley CG parking lot and follow a marked trail east to the mouth of Steve Canyon. The west face of Sidewinder Rock and it's distinctive slanting dike system is a good landmark.

Routes from Left to Right

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R
 104
Skinny Dip
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 30
Invisible Touch
Trad
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 20
King Pin
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a X
 6
Skinny Pin
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 81
Jumping Jack Crack
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 3
Venucian Fece
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13
 261
Sidewinder
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b PG13
 7
Diamondback
Trad
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 1
Kingsnake
Trad
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 1
Rattle and Hum
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 1
Munchkinland
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Skinny Dip
 104
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R Trad
Invisible Touch
 30
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
King Pin
 20
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Skinny Pin
 6
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a X Trad
Jumping Jack Crack
 81
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Venucian Fece
 3
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Sidewinder
 261
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13 Trad
Diamondback
 7
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b PG13 Trad
Kingsnake
 1
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad
Rattle and Hum
 1
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
Munchkinland
 1
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Going skinny dipping.
[Hide Photo] Going skinny dipping.
Climber on Jumping Jack Crack.  Photo used with permission from JL
[Hide Photo] Climber on Jumping Jack Crack. Photo used with permission from JL
Sidewinder on a windy day
[Hide Photo] Sidewinder on a windy day
Sidewinder Rock - West Face
[Hide Photo] Sidewinder Rock - West Face
Sidewinder Rock - West Face with climbers on Sidewinder (5.10b), Joshua Tree NP<br>
[Hide Photo] Sidewinder Rock - West Face with climbers on Sidewinder (5.10b), Joshua Tree NP