Upper Cow Rock

Upper Cow Rock is a climbing area in Joshua Tree National Park in California, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among several other climbing spots within a short distance, including Worthwhile Pile and Slanta Claus Rock, both about 0.1 mile away, and The Brown Wall, about the same. A fee is charged for climbing here, according to the National Park Service. The area offers a range of routes for both trad and sport climbers. Eleven routes are listed, with trad routes making up seven and sport routes four. Grades run from 5.6 to 5.13a, with Cow Pie Corner at 5.6 and Prime Directive at 5.13a. Cowabunga, a trad route at 5.10c, and Hollywood and Bovine, a sport route at 5.10d, are among the standouts. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to climb. 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 1,100 feet lower than the area, so temperatures at Upper Cow Rock run cooler. Cow Rock, a hike about 0.2 mile away, and Hidden Valley Trailhead, about half a mile off, round out the options close by. Sheep Pass Group campground is about 3.5 miles away.