California · Rock climbing · Joshua Tree

(f) The Ranch

(f) The Ranch is a trad climbing area in California with 6 routes.

Photo: WheelGoodPhotos, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

6 routes

5.7 – 5.10a

Trad

Is (f) The Ranch open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists 3 alerts for Joshua Tree National Park.

Partial Trail Closure of West Side Loop
Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park
Inaccurate Third-Party Apps
Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park
Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure
Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

As of Oct 24, 6:30 pm PDT · Source: NPS · Joshua Tree National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit (f) The Ranch

Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

Jan
58° / 38°
4 wet
Feb
61° / 39°
3 wet
Mar
67° / 40°
3 wet
Apr
73° / 46°
2 wet
May
82° / 52°
1 wet
Jun
91° / 59°
0 wet
Jul
96° / 66°
2 wet
Aug
96° / 68°
2 wet
Sep
89° / 60°
2 wet
Oct
80° / 50°
1 wet
Nov
66° / 41°
2 wet
Dec
58° / 34°
4 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yucca Valley, CA, 12.1 mi away at 3,249 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Ranch is a climbing area in Joshua Tree National Park in California, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with Vagmarken Hill - West Face and (d) Vagmarken Hill - Chores Of Yore Crag both about 0.2 miles away. The area has six trad routes, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.10a. The Ranch Hand is the easiest at 5.7, and The Donkey is the hardest at 5.10a. The Goat and The Llama are both in the 5.9 range. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Yucca Valley show April highs around 73°F and October highs around 80°F, while July and August average about 96°F. A fee is charged for climbing here. The closest trails are the Keys West Wilderness Backpacking Board and Boy Scout Trailhead, both about a mile away. Sheep Pass Group campground is roughly 5.8 miles off.