All Locations > California > Joshua Tree NP > Pinto Basin > Split Rocks > Split Rocks West

Rubicon Formation Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Rubicon Formation

L › R R › L A › Z

	Amphetamine Reptile T 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Jump Start T 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Jumpin' Jimmy Jones Jams Java at Josh T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Pit Viper S 5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
	Psychedelic Elvis T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Rubicon T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Seizure T 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Total Generic Package (aka Mr. Swing) T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Tumor Circus T 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Venus Man Trap T,TR 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
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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.

Elevation:	4,200 ft	1,280 m
GPS:	34.006, -116.0572 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	29,327 total · 110/month
Shared By:	Steve Juhasz on Mar 18, 2003 · Updates
Admins:	Greg Opland, Mike Morley, C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Gunkswest Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures 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.

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

Description

West of the Grand Canyon formation is a 100 foot high block; on it's east face is the namesake Rubicon (5.10c) a stunning zig-zagging crack which starts at the formation's right side, traverses almost the entire face to the left, and continues to the top via a right-arching finger crack.

There is a convenient rappel station atop the rock directly above Seizure (5.12c) another suberb route which climbs the difficult face directly right of the upper portion of Rubicon.

Directly across from the formation is the route For Peter (5.11c).

Getting There

Heading southwest from the Split Rocks parking lot, you'll see the obvious cracks on the east side of the Grand Canyon formation, as well as the Isles In The Sky formation further behind. Head down the well-worn trail around the north end of the Grand Canyon, following a wash at this point.

Once west of the Grand Canyon formation, head left (south) along another small wash. Rubicon Rock is now visible, just in front of you on the right.

The approach from the parking lot takes no more than 5-6 minutes, 10 if you are really slow.

10 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Rubicon Formation

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 473 ● Rubicon Trad
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a 4 ● Pit Viper Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b 12 ● Seizure Trad