Joshua Tree scrambles beta

I'm looking for some good rest day scrambles in Joshua Tree NP. I know there's scrambles everywhere you look but I was wondering if anyone knew of some extended routes for an adventure 

Right On

The descent route for Lost Horse Area right side. Once up, can continúe scrambling ridge to left to at least the top out of China Plates. Great views from up there.

I was hoping for joshua tree inspired omelette recipes.

I really enjoyed going cross country from Willow Hole to the Rattle Snake canyon trailhead a few years ago - It is more cross country travel than true scramble but I did find some short bouldery 3rd class moves along the way. Just follow the drainage down from the end of the willow hole trail. You can make it a loop by hiking back along the boy scout trail.

Spencer BB wrote:

I really enjoyed going cross country from Willow Hole to the Rattle Snake canyon trailhead a few years ago - It is more cross country travel than true scramble but I did find some short bouldery 3rd class moves along the way. Just follow the drainage down from the end of the willow hole trail. You can make it a loop by hiking back along the boy scout trail.

That's a great day. We did the other direction, from rattlesnake up to willow hole and back down boy scout. Quite memorable 

1. chasm of doom. 

2. you can free solo the bong (or climb the bong downclimb), traverse the blob and downclimb the other side (not the easiest to find if you can't find it do the bong downclimb.

3. space station.

4. saddle rock

5. the tallest formation in the outback has some good views

6. free solo the eye and scramble down the back, or just scramble up the back

SoCal Choss wrote:

3. space station.

I imagine the cave has seen some interesting times. Last Oct, someone was up  in there with a guitar, serenading all the area.

In lots of ways Joshua Tree can be one big scramble, especially if you pick a bad approach.  I remember having a memorable scramble around the Astro Domes thinking going from Solid Gold to Room to Shroom would be a quick jaunt.  The hike all the way up Rattlesnake Canyon is good.  That place which should not be mentioned online (but people do anyways) is fun.  The scramble to the top of the Sentinel is fun and not too involved.  I think just wandering around the Wonderland and trying to scramble to the top of what looks accessible is a blast.  That was was my typical outing with my kids when I’d drag them out to Josh.  Always fun. 

As said earlier in this thread, most of the park can be scrambled if you are creative enough. The most fun I've had scrambling in this park has often just been my determined efforts to gain the tops of routes, finding fun and rompy scrambling along the way. This often blurs the line between 4th and low 5th class.

I'll list a couple ideas along with some of the ideas others added above. Honestly though the most magic happens through self discovery. Go find something cool looking, and set off on an adventure. You cant really go wrong unless you take the whip.

Small and easy:

• Backside of the Sentinel
• Thin Wall Traverse
• Top of the Blob
• Patagonia Pile
• Chasm of Doom
• Johnson Canyon

Medium-ish

• Vagmarken Hill 
• Top of the Cow Formation. Added romping through the Land that Time Lost is fun. (Watch for crypto soil)
• Lost Horse Wall up and over into Rock Garden Valley
• Twister rock summit
• Campfire Crag traverse (Low 5th and exposed)
• Feudal Wall to Varnished Wall traverse
• Rattlesnake Canyon to Corral Wall scramble loop

Longer-Ish / Harder-ish

• Summit of the White Elephant
• Astro Domes Summit Scramble
• Wonderland Traverse
• Sierra Club WTC Route (Probably the most traditional summit scramble in the park. Very Excellent)
• Ryan Mountain scramble Via Saddle Rocks.

Again, I want to reiterate that scrambling in this park is EVERYWHERE. Most formations can be reached via an easy route and you are only limited by your creativity. Go out and have a freakin' adventure! 

Seconding everyone in this thread that obviously scrambles are everywhere, but ya I agree having a defined goal formation / route is a little more satisfying.

To add extra suggestions from what is already covered, this book is GREAT: https://www.rockandsnow.com/93630/40-calssic-day-hikes-in-joshua-tree-national-park/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw4ugmfby-wIVdCytBh2YQAK0EAQYBSABEgKMnfD_BwE

Its a “hiking” book, but it has a solid selection of entirely backcountry / off trail routes that involve extended scrambling. A really nice selection of rest day hikes / scrambles that are an adventure, even for climbers. But obviously don’t venture into free soloing territory. Astrodome summit scramble (for example) is in there. One of my other favorites was the Gunsight Notch loop (this one I believe is listed on all trails).