Overview
Typical Joshua Tree view.
Thin Wall is a rock formation in the “Real Hidden Valley” of Joshua Tree National Park. True to its name “Thin Wall” is very thin. This wonderful little formation has stayed one of the most popular rocks in Real Hidden Valley area and, in fact, in all of Joshua Tree.
Thin Wall encompasses many crack systems and face climbs ranging from 5.6 to 11a. The popularity of this formation comes from the fact that virtually all the climbs can be easily top roped. Scrambling up the shoulder to the top is quite easy. Many cracks and features on top facilitate setting up anchors.
Another advantage of this rock is its easy access. Thin Wall is within a few minutes walking distance from the parking lot. Being very close to the “Nature Loop Trail,” it usually receives many spectators and cheer leaders.
East Face of Thin Wall
The east face of Thin Wall is well featured with many cracks and face climbs. The fact that this face is virtually vertical it adds another dimention to climbing here. The climbs are not very difficult but they give you the pump that you are looking for. The most popular climb on the east face is “No Calculators Allowed, 10a.” This climb is actually quite easy. You are using mostly face and crack features on a vertical face no harder than 5.8. Then near the top, the rock becomes slightly over hanging. That’s the 10a section and it’s short. Just to the left of that climb there is another super climb called “ Congratualtions, 11a.” The case with “Congratulations is a bit different. The face climb below the over hang is in the 5.10 range leaving you a bit tired even before getting to the crux. Once you overcome the overhang, the difficulties end and you will cruise to the top.
| Climbs of The East Face |
A | Child's Play, 10d |
B | Congratulations, 11a |
C | No Calculators Allowed. 10a |
D | Count on Your Fingers, 5.9 |
E | Conservative Policies, 5.8 |
F | Chocolate is Better Than Sex, 5.9 |
G | Almost Vertical, 5.7 |
H | The Face of Tammy Faye, 5.8 |
I | Ain't Nothing But A J-Tree Thing, 5.6 |
Camping
There are nine campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park. At the entrance to the park you are always asked if you would care to have a map and a brochure. The brochure will have plenty of information on the campgrounds and the map will guide you to many of the pleasant hikes throughout the park. You may even get the latest information as to availability of campsites. During the peak season (mid winter through spring) finding a campsite may become a major task. It is highly recommended to use the following link to get more information in advance.
Joshua Tree Camping
Noise considerations,
When you are camping with friends and sitting around the fire, it is easy to forget that there are other people trying to sleep in the nearby campsites. It is important to put yourself in their shoes. Keep the noise and music to a minimum and certainly not too much past 10 p.m. Your neighbors will smile at you in the morning instead of giving you dirty looks.
Environmental Concerns,
Please tread lightly. The Access Fund has gone to great lengths posting trail marker for approaches to many of the more popular crags. Do you best to stay on these trails, and where you are forced to use a different path, choose the ones that rain can mend in time. Drainages make for good trails where there are no established trails.
Avoid stepping on native and fragile plants, and do not feed the coyotes. Coyotes are very much used to people and often hang around picnic areas and camp grounds in hopes of getting a hand out. It’s better to let them live their natural life.
How to Get There
From the western entrance to Joshua Tree National Park drive on Park Boulevard, formerly known as Quail Springs Road, for about nine miles to a major rock formation called “Intersection Rock.” Intersection Rock is a major landmark on the north side of Quail Springs Road with ample parking for visitors and climbers alike. This rock, true to its name, sit at the cross roads to “Hidden Valley Campground”, Barker Dam Road and the road to “Day use and picnic” area.
Turn right onto the road leading to day use area with a large parking lot and bathrooms. The Trail to “Real Hidden Vally” is obvious and starts here. This trail leads to “Nature Loop Trail” and “Real Hidden Valley.”
When you get to the Loop Trail take the left fork. After a few minutes you will come to the largest formation in the area. That is Sentinel to your left and it’s mostly east facing. Thin Wall is a short walk further past Sentinel Rock.