Trip Date: 10/10/2015

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit (On foot - $10, Motorcycle or bike - $10, Car - $20), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass

Trails: NPS Joshua Tree Map, NPS Ryan Mountain map

Directions: From Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley follow the signs to JTNP (south on Park Blvd - Quail Springs Rd - National Park Dr) to the kiosk at the Northwest entrance. Drive 11.9 miles on Park Boulevard (be sure to stay left at the junction with Keys View Rd.) to a left turn into the Hall of Horrors parking area. The trailhead is next to the restrooms.

Synopsis: This is mostly a technical rock-climbing area with some great boulder formations. But it has some fun trails, its own parking area and a restroom so it's a good place for just about anyone to stop and explore. Didn't see any picnic tables, but who needs them when there are so many monzogranite slabs just waiting to host your lunch?

Trail sequence: Hall of Horrors use trails

Type: Loop

Distance: 0.6 miles 

Elevation: Min. - 4244’, Max. - 4306'

Rating: Easy (factors: heat)

Notes: There are climbing access trails criss-crossing this entire area. If you don't keep track of where you are and where you're going, you might find even this short stroll taking longer than you expected.  

Track: Hall of Horrors - Joshua Tree National Park

Turn by turn:

  -- As mentioned, there are lots of use trails in the area and you can fashion pretty much whatever kind of hike you want, from just playing on the rocks for a few hours to actually walking around and getting to know the area a bit. We took this hike in a counterclockwise direction - beginning next to the restrooms and walking pretty much due north to the east end of the large formation.

  -- Follow the use trails and washes and circle around to the back of the rock formation. From here you head in a southwesterly direction, working through the bushes and around a few of the larger rocks.

  -- When you reach the southwest end of the rock pile you find your way along the base of the formation, working from one use trail to another. Soon you circle back around to the face of the pile and hike to the northeast until you reach a likely path (there are many to pick from) that will take you back to the parking lot, just a few yards away.