Valley of the Moon
Climbing Sections:
- Gravity Wall (11)
- Hawk Rock (6)
- Patina Wall (13)
- Sundagger Wall (4)
- The Fortress (5)
- Treasure Chest (1)
About Valley of the Moon:
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Utilizing a five star rating system, this remote gem of a desert climbing area is situated right on the San Diego/Imperial County border. Some have said if a person were blindfolded and dumped off in Valley Of The Moon they would swear they were in Joshua Tree National Park. Tons of formations with rock quality ranging from fabulous to choss with most being quite good. Lots of sport climbs, trad routes. Unfortunately, although new route potential would seem to exist, most anything of value at Valley is located within designated wilderness and as such is no longer open to development (please be responsible and respect wilderness laws - let's keep this beautiful area open to climbers).
Located in the desert the climbing season runs fall through spring. The drive in is somewhat tricky and having 4WD or at least high-clearance is a big help to cut down on the approach time. No water or facilites exist so load up on food, water, wood, and beer.
**Looking for a San Diego area climbing partner?**
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| Nearest town or city: | Jacumba |
| Directions: | Take I-8 to the In-Ko-Pah Park Rd. Exit, about and hour and a half east of San Diego. Go right (south) 100' to the frontage road (old Hwy 80). Turn right here and drive southwest .2 miles to an unmarked dirt road on the left. Almost immediately a dirt road intersects this. Turn left and head back southwest, soon heading up a hill. The road quickly becomes 4-wheel drive only at this point so if lacking 4WD park in any of several areas a short distance up the hill. Continue via foot, mountain bike or truck and wind up the hill to a long, prominent saddle. At a fork in along this saddle, go left (straight) and head down a rough grade to a broad, flat valley about 3.5 miles from the freeway. Eventually another main junction is presented. The left road heads over to some inviting looking formations, but instead go right (straight) over some gulleys and then uphill. At another junction bear left and finally reach a large parking area near the top of a hill/saddle, right below the Elliot Pass formation (to the east). The road to the main climbing areas is now closed/blocked to vehicular traffic and mountain bikes, designating the western most wilderness boundary. Walk down and around the road to reach the main climbing areas. The Patina Wall is near road's end, very close to the Mexican Border. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | 32.63100, -116.07880 |
| Access Issues: | |
| Camping: | Free |
| When to Climb: | |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Year |
Topo Images
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Forum Discussions (1 posts)
| Subject | Author | Replies | Last Post | |
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Valley Of The Moon, beta on routes | esoteric1 | 1 | Dec 28 2003, 7:30 PM |
