Bishop and Joshua Tree any good for beginners?

Hi everyone,

Three friends and I are going to California from mid-May to early June (I know, not the best time for good conditions), mostly for hiking and sightseeing. I would like to include a bit of bouldering as well and Bishop and Joshua Tree could easily be included in our itinerary. However while I climb at a relatively good level (up to 7A (V6?)) my friends are almost total beginners; I've taken them sport climbing a couple of times and we did some bouldering in the Alps last year. The problem was that there were very few easy problems, and those were usually boring, so they didn't do much. What's it like in Bishop and Joshua Tree? Is there anything interesting (as in, more than 6 feet high, though not too highball either) at the bottom of the scale?

While I'm at it, is there anything special I should know about the American/local bouldering ethics that might differ from here in France? Apart from the obvious like brush off the holds, leave no trace...

Thanks in advance!
Adrien

Bishop and J Tree are both likely to be HOT that time of year. If you chase shade and avoid the middle of the day, you can probably get some decent climbing in, though if you catch a hot streak, it'll still be brutal.

The Happy Boulders on the north side of Bishop are very beginner friendly. Tons of easy to moderate routes in a fairly compact area, generally good landings that you can protect well with 2 pads, as low or high ball as you're comfortable with.

J Tree has plenty of options on the easier end of the scale too, but in general, the easy stuff at the Happy Boulders is a lot more fun.

That time of year, you might want to look into something at a little more altitude to get better temps. I'm not really sure what the options are there, but I'm sure someone can fill you in.

Joshua Tree
Bishop
Those should give you an idea of the huge amount of easier stuff on these areas. Have fun and be safe out there

While in Bishop that time of year, it'd be well worth the ~2 hr drive to check out Tuolumne bouldering, Mammoth, and maybe Rock Creek ( RC=not much for easy stuff though )

Save Tuolumne for last (early June ) hopefully the pass will be open for you.

I'd skip Jtree, save that for winter ( Nov. - March )

Chase some shade in the ORG for excellent sport climbs.

Thanks for all the replies. Bishop sounds fantastic. I do realize it's going to be hot but May seems like a good compromise as we'll be hiking in Sequoia and Yosemite and I hear the waterfalls are at their peak that time of year (and the crowds are thinner). Is the guidebook for Bishop easy to find?

Perhaps we should skip Joshua Tree yes. Mammoth Lakes looks like a good alternative; we'd have about 7-8 days left after Yosemite and combining hiking and climbing would be ideal, so maybe the general Eastern Sierra area is a good bet. No sport climbing though, I would rather bring my tent than my gear and I doubt both will fit in my luggage :)

Yes, mammoth also has lots of easy/moderate bouldering if and when the Happy boulders are too hot. Buttermilks are a must go to area even if just for the views, but not as beginner friendly.

Both Bishop and Mammoth guides are easy to get in town or on line.

you can also rent pads in Bishop and most likely Mammoth

Just for your trip planning, you should expect Tioga Pass to be closed for your whole trip, it tends to open sometime in late June or early July in big El Nino years. You could get lucky, but don't be surprised if it's closed.

Lots of volcanic bouldering near Mammoth in the very easy grades, Deadman's Summit area alone has tons (for raw beginners VB is what you'll be looking for), and don't overlook Clark Canyon itself (sport climbing area) as a moderate bouldering area, just climb up a bit and climb back (or jump) down. It used to be popular for bouldering in the pre-crash-pad era since it has flat sandy landings. Highballs too of course - actually a lot of the routes were bouldered long before they were bolted!

Don't head to Rock Creek, despite the perfect rock in a gorgeous setting, there's basically nothing for a raw beginner.

If you hit a (really) cool weather stretch, go to the Happies - best collection of quality VB problems anywhere.

Bishop.... do not assume it will be to hot.... we get snow on Memorial day, in the Mts. about one out of five years.

If your going to be on the Yosemite side of the range... you might wish to visit Shuteye Ridge, or Kings Canyon, or Sequoia National Park....

all of these places have random boulders laying around the campgrounds, fabulous hiking- day trips or overnight. ( Bear-paw Meadows in Sequoia has tent cabins, 11 mile hike to get there along the Hi-Sierra trail to one of the most awesome spots in the Range. If ya don't have gear with you)

Welcome to California

+1 on Bearpaw High Sierra Camp, it is an awesome spot.....oh wait, I have to say that, I'm the manager of that place. ;)

MISSING LOVED ONES! PLEASE SHARE! I have two missing friends that we believe headed to Joshua Tree on Saturday to go camping for the weekend. Both of them Aaron Morganstein and Masha Mitkov were expected to be back for work on Monday Morning and never showed up to either of their jobs.

So far a Police Report has been filed in LA and the local police of Yucca Valley, and Riverside. They are organizing a search party and we would greatly appreciate the help if you're in the area.

Aaron was last seen heading out of LA with Masha in a Blue Suburu with license plate #7PHK773.

Last purchase from them was at a gas station in a nearby town to Joshua Tree. Last Ping via the investigator was at 34225 Key Largo Ave Rancho Mirage toward Palm Springs desert.

Any sightings or info, please let me know here or you can call or e-mail me:
626.965.1487
brianagonzales@gmail.com

Again, Please share!!!

Briana, I hope you find your friends. Mods, is it possible to move this to a new thread? It might be missed in here.

Hi Briana,
I hope this turns out well, a couple of things might help.
This should be a new post, go to the opening page and click on new topic. I would post it under forum and lost and found. Also, bishop and J-tree are both in Southern California.
I would use a heading such as "Lost climbers; please help"
And if you visit the page every so often and 'bump' it to the top by making a comment, it will keep it towards the top of the MP list.
Hope this helps, and again, good luck.

I PM'd Briana to suggest she start a new thread for better visibility.

I'm heading to JTree tomorrow morning via the 10fwy. I will keep a lookout for the Blue Subaru in our travels.

New thread started for missing climbers:

mountainproject.com/v/lost-…

Thank you so much everyone!

FrankPS wrote:New thread started for missing climbers: mountainproject.com/v/lost-…

Oops, forgot to mention that, thanks.
Briana, you too need to make a post, with all pertinent info, pics, etc

Muscrat wrote: Oops, forgot to mention that, thanks. Briana, you too need to make a post, with all pertinent info, pics, etc

Another new one was started, with the info:

mountainproject.com/v/two-y…

FrankPS wrote: Another new one was started, with the info: mountainproject.com/v/two-y…

these links are a maze! We'll keep a an eye open, heading out there this weekend. I hope they're okay