The Molar
The Molar in California has 7 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering sport and trad options.
Photo: RuggyBearLA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 7 routes
- 5.7+ – 5.12d
- Trad · Sport
Is Molar, The 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 The Molar
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, 16.2 mi away at 3,249 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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 Molar 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 and hiking spots, so it works well as a stop in a day of exploring the park's rock. 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. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the Molar, so temperatures at the climbing area run cooler. A fee is charged for park activities. The closest neighbors are John Yablonski Rock and Cap Rock Bouldering, both about 0.1 mile away, along with the Cap Rock hike. Ryan Ranch Trailhead is about 0.6 mile off.
Routes (7)
Facts about this crag
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Matt_B13, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)John Yablonski Rock
~0 min drive
John Yablonski Rock in California has 8 routes across 7 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad climbing.
Photo: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Cap Rock Bouldering
~0 min drive
Cap Rock Bouldering in California has 28 bouldering routes.
Photo: Lukáš Lalinský, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)The Hatrack
~0 min drive
10 bouldering routes in California, 5 distinct grades.
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Cap Rock - South Face
~0 min drive
Cap Rock - South Face in California has 8 trad climbing routes.
Photo: RuggyBearLA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Sandy Wash Corridor
~0 min drive
Sandy Wash Corridor in California has 5 climbing routes with 5 difficulty grades.
Photo: Robert Anders, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Cap Rock - Southeast Face
~0 min drive
Southeast-facing granite climbing on Cap Rock in California.
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Cap Rock - North Face
~0 min drive
Cap Rock - North Face in California has 17 climbing routes across 11 grades.
Photo: Matt_B13, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Stonehenge and Fry Boulders
~0 min drive
Stonehenge and Fry Boulders is a 3-route bouldering area in California.
Photo: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Rabbit Warren
~0 min drive
Rabbit Warren in California has 7 climbing routes across 6 difficulty grades, offering sport and trad options.
Photo: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Picture Perfect Boulder
~0 min drive
7 bouldering routes at Picture Perfect Boulder in California.
