All Locations > California > Joshua Tree NP > Central Joshua… > Sheep Pass Area > Saddle Rocks Area > Saddle Rocks > (a) Saddle Rock… > Saddle Rocks - Skirt…

Walk on the Wild Side

Name: Walk on the Wild Side
Rating: 3.2

5.8 YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British

Routes in Saddle Rocks - Skirt (West Face)

L › R R › L A › Z

	A Cheap Way to Die T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b R
	Calamity Jane T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Cole-Anderson S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Cowgirl in the Sand T 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13
	Dial 911 T 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a R
	Do Rein Me T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Gaucho Marx T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Hanna Montana TR 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Harlequin T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b R
	Harley Queen T 5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
	If You see Crow, Bark! T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b X
	Kid Calingula T 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Lone Pine T 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
	Marlboro Man T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Orange Flake T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Other Flake, The T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13
	Posse, The T 5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
	R&R Revamped T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Restoration & Repair (R&R) T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Right On T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
	Rough Riders T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Santa Cruz T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Silver Spur T 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Six Shooter T 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Us and Them T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Walk on the Wild Side T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Where Have all the Cowboys Gone T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
	Write In TR 5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c

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Type:	Trad, 250 ft (76 m), 3 pitches
GPS:	33.99445, -116.14002
FA:	Roy Naasz and Chris Wegener, January 1970
Page Views:	55,818 total · 192/month
Shared By:	C Miller on Jul 3, 2002
Admins:	Greg Opland, C Miller, Gunkswest, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Explore this route 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.

Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures Details 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. A permit is required to replace or add new bolts: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Seasonal Closures:
The presence of a nesting owl in very close proximity to a variety of climbing routes, "Right On," "Orange Flake," "Kid Caligula," requires closure until the nest has been abandoned to ensure the protection of the species for the duration of the nesting activities. This closure will be in effect from February 17, 2026 until June 7, 2026; or until the nest has been abandoned.

The presence of a prairie falcon nesting in very close proximity to a variety of climbing routes requires closure of "Fat Freddie’s Cat,” “Freak Brothers Dome,” “The Weenie,” “Pea Brain,” and “The Red Obelisk." This closure will be in effect from February 17, 2026 until June 7, 2026; or until the nest has been abandoned

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

Access Issue: Temporary Closure Details

Saddle Rocks chimney routes, including but not limited to Right On, Orange Flake, Kid Caligula. This area is closed through June 2026 to protect nesting birds.

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Take the Walk

Walk on the Wild Side takes a sweeping line up the right side of Saddle Rocks and with it's deceptively moderate grade, multi-pitch climbing and the fact that nothing more than quickdraws are needed make it one of the most popular routes in all of Joshua Tree.

The climb starts by scrambling up to the base and starting off the highpoint of stacked blocks.

P1) Climbing slightly left and up to start, work your way back right to belay in a natural hole at bolt anchors. 6 bolts on this pitch

P2) Climb up and left to another bolted belay past 3 bolts.

P3) This pitch climbs past 2 bolts to an anchor. This last pitch is a little run-out, but much easier. It's possible to combine pitches 2 and 3 together for a rope stretching pitch (a 70 meter rope works well here).

The descent offers several choices:

1) Rap the route with (2) two 60 meter ropes (or a single 70m, or maybe a single 60m - see comments). The first rap is close to 100' and will take you straight down to the first anchor of Dial 911 (the next route to the left of WOWS). From here one more rap leads you to the ground.

2) The other option is to continue past the last bolted anchor and walk/downclimb the ramp to the climber's right. At a certain point it will be best to traverse improbably out to the top of a slab to access a bolted rap anchor - this is the anchor for Presto In C Sharp).

A rap from here takes you to a ledge where you will find another rap anchor that will take you down a faint waterchute and to the ground.

Continue downhill through rocks and a faint trail to the base of the rock, and back around to your packs.

Please note that this descent is much longer, and slightly more involved, but has the advantage of only needing a single cord.

Lastly, if you are looking for some adventure on a long moonlit night, and couldn't make it on the route that day, do what the locals do and climb it by the light of the full moon.

Which way to the Wild Side?

Found on the far right side of Saddle Rocks Skirt and is the third route from the right. Please note that the climb starts by scrambling up to the base and starting off the highpoint of stacked blocks.