California · Rock climbing · Desert Hot Springs

Left Hand of Darkness - E. Face

Left Hand of Darkness - E. Face in California has 21 climbing routes with mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Left Hand of Darkness - E. FacePhoto: cifraser1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
21 routes
5.5 – 5.11c
Trad · Sport · Mixed

Is Left Hand of Darkness - E. Face 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 · Source: NPS · Joshua Tree National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Left Hand of Darkness - E. Face

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.

  1. Jan

    58° / 38°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    61° / 39°

    3 wet

  3. Mar

    67° / 40°

    3 wet

  4. Apr

    73° / 46°

    2 wet

  5. May

    82° / 52°

    1 wet

  6. Jun

    91° / 59°

    0 wet

  7. Jul

    96° / 66°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    96° / 68°

    2 wet

  9. Sep

    89° / 60°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    80° / 50°

    1 wet

  11. Nov

    66° / 41°

    2 wet

  12. Dec

    58° / 34°

    4 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yucca Valley, CA, 13.9 mi away at 3,249 ft. The station sits about 900 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.

Left Hand of Darkness - E. Face is a climbing area in Joshua Tree National Park, California, managed by the National Park Service. The park charges a fee for entry. The most comfortable months fall in spring and fall. Typical averages from the Yucca Valley weather station, about 14 miles away, show April highs near 73°F with lows around 46°F, and October highs near 80°F with lows around 50°F. The station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures here run somewhat cooler. The West Face of Left Hand of Darkness, Blas Beemer Area and Ken Black Memorial Dome are each about 0.1 mile away. The Quail Springs Historic Trail starts about 0.2 mile away for anyone wanting a hike.

Routes (21)

Gander SlanderFA: FRA: Todd & Donette Swain5.10+Left RouteFA: Chick Holtkamp and John Lakey, Feb. 19785.10aThe Uhh CultFA: Todd Swain, 19895.10a/bGrandpa GanderFA: Herb Laegar, Andy and Lotus Brown, 10/865.10cRight RouteFA: Chick Holtkamp and John Lakey 1978, FA Direct: (TR) unknown 19795.10cTo Air Is HumanFA: Herb Laeger, Eve Laeger, and Rich Perch, Nov. 19875.10dUncle FesterFA: Kevin Powell, Randy Vogel, Rob Raker, Darryl Nakahira - May 19835.10dPump Up the VolumeFA: Todd Gordon & Cyndie Bransford, 3/905.11aMandarinaFA: Bob Gaines, Todd Gordon, and Dave Reinich, September 19965.11bMiddle Hand of DarknessFA: Unknown, put probably some of the usual suspects in the late 70's5.11cWhistling SphincterFA: Kevin Powell '835.11cMongoose5.5Stake Your ClaimFA: Chris Keefe and Rhett Winter, 3/14/135.5Mother GooseFA: Todd Swain, 19905.6Granny GooseFA: Fred East & John Edgar 19735.7Jon Crowley5.7Uncle Fester's Poodle FartFA: Genna5.7Aleister Crowley (aka Brew 102)FA: Todd Swain, Jim Browning 10/895.8Bryant GumbelFA: Todd Gordon & Cody Dolnick 10/865.8Duck, Duck, GooseFA: FRA: Todd Swain, John Klak5.8Jane PauleyFA: Tom Michael & Todd Gordon 10/865.8

Facts about this crag

Rules & access

Fee
Yes

Source: National Park Service API

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