Best Top Rope area/routes in Joshua Tree?

Heading out to Joshua tree this next weekend with some friends for the first time and was looking for some good Top roping areas. Were fairly new to climbing and have yet to start lead climbing but we absolutely love top roping outdoors so this is definitely a bucket list trip for us. I can already imagine me and my buddies scrambling the mountains for whatever top rope anchor is accessible from the top no matter what the grade is (we typically max out at about 5.11b) just to get climbin, but it would be nice to have a general idea of the best areas / routes here. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!!

https://kdanielspublishing.com/cart/index.php/guide-books/joshua-tree-sport-climbs-and-top-rope-sites.html

If you aren’t leading, to me that implies that you don’t have or know how to use trad gear, which is going to severely limit what you can climb in JT. There’s fully bolted sport routes that don’t even have bolted anchors. And even when there are bolts, they’re usually far back from the edge, so a static or a ton of webbing is usually needed.

Tony Danzawrote:

If you aren’t leading, to me that implies that you don’t have or know how to use trad gear, which is going to severely limit what you can climb in JT. There’s fully bolted sport routes that don’t even have bolted anchors. And even when there are bolts, they’re usually far back from the edge, so a static or a ton of webbing is usually needed.

I climb at Jtree literally every weekend and I agree with Jiggs here. If you don't know how to build gear anchors, you'll be pretty severely limited. 

Your best bet is to get a guide for the day and split the cost among the group. You'll have a way easier and more enjoyable day by doing that. 

Here's a list of some options for guides 

https://www.joshuatree.directory/climbing

Aren't there bolted anchors at the top of Thin Wall? Seems like a good spot to get some mileage

Edit: but yes you'll probably need something to extend the anchor over the edge.

TaylorPwrote:

Aren't there bolted anchors at the top of Thin Wall? Seems like a good spot to get some mileage

Edit: but yes you'll probably need something to extend the anchor over the edge.

There are, and at least according to the guidebook you can walk off either side of the Thin Wall. However, that place gets mobbed because it's a short approach with lots of easy climbs and soft grading. So it's definitely a good suggestion for OP but I'd highlyyyy recommend being there pretty early to stake one's claim in the top rope gangbanging that goes on at that wall before it fully crowds up.

TaylorPwrote:

Aren't there bolted anchors at the top of Thin Wall? Seems like a good spot to get some mileage

Edit: but yes you'll probably need something to extend the anchor over the edge.

Two of the routes there do, a 10a and 10d, the rest are gear anchors.

Vince Valdezwrote:

Heading out to Joshua tree this next weekend with some friends for the first time and was looking for some good Top roping areas. Were fairly new to climbing and have yet to start lead climbing but we absolutely love top roping outdoors so this is definitely a bucket list trip for us. I can already imagine me and my buddies scrambling the mountains for whatever top rope anchor is accessible from the top no matter what the grade is (we typically max out at about 5.11b) just to get climbin, but it would be nice to have a general idea of the best areas / routes here. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!!

Vince - Respectfully.
If you can climb 5.11 (I looked at your ticks, good ones btw) it’s probably time you figured out what the sharp end is all about. Bum up a small rack, hex’s OK - some big ones 5-10 size and imagine you and friends scrambling up something like- Upper Right Ski Crack - bolts on top to belay/rap from.
You could probably do that climb with no hands.

Luck to you.

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105721723/upper-right-ski-track 

Vince Valdezwrote:

 this is definitely a bucket list trip for us. 

Jtree has the mystique and all that, but...  the place requires a certain amount of skill, gear, and familiarity to really climb there and get stuff done. For most people with your experience level, I think Fairview could be more actual fun. Consider it.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/108189726/fairview-mountain

Trashcan Rock. QED.

Short wall @ Indian Cove. Requires gear and webbing to extend the rope to the cliff edge, I believe.