Joshua Tree Guides

My wife Beth and I just started getting into rock climbing and have only been gym climbing a few times. On our trip to Joshua Tree this April we wanted to learn outdoor top rope climbing, so we made an appointment with JT Guides for a 6 hour session. We met Julius at Quail Springs picnic area at 8am. He was friendly, informative, and very supportive. We both learned and experienced more than we expected. After climbing a few different routes, we asked Julius to teach us a bit more about the equipment used in lead climbing and other knots used. He explained and demonstrated quite a bit about the different types of climbing, how to secure nuts and cams, and more about belaying. We still had some time left, so we followed him to The Cyclops where we hiked up the backside and talked more about climbing while taking in the breathtaking view.

Love Joshua Tree Guides! Rick is awesome and is amazing with kids! I highly recommend checking them out if you are interested in learning to rock climb:)

We had an AWESOME day at J-​Tree with Juliusz and Alex as our guides. They accommodated our group of first timers and experienced climbers perfectly. They even made it a welcoming environment for the small kids in our group. They put safety first and were very encouraging and supportive to everyone. I would highly recommend these guys to anyone seeking a great experience with a professional outfitter. VIP service, and we will definitely be calling them again next time we are back!

Great experience!
For my 9yr old (Ben’s) science project we figured climbing in Joshua Tree would be fun and educational. Rick promptly replied to my call and quickly scheduled guides for the coming Sunday. Julius and Sean were fantastic. They safely guided us up the Cyclops Eye 5.3 route which everyone completed but not without some real work on two obstacles. Athletic adults and selected kids with good climbing experience would enjoy this. Julius suggested we try the more difficult Spagetti-​Chili route also. It involves a layback where you have to claw your way hand over hand and foot over foot around the edges of a curved clamshell-​shaped layback. While we have climbed extensively indoors we were not well prepared for this. With a lot of encouragement and 100% confidence in our guides, mom, dad, and my 11yr old barely completed this with several retreats. Many thanks to our guides for patiently helping us through this. It was right on the edge of our ability and hugely satisfying to complete. lol, we learned that all the holds we typically avoid when indoor climbing are are actually the stuff you should be working on because you rarely get a nice hand-​hold on the rock face.

The staff at Joshua Tree Climbing Guides are very knowledgeable and professional. Rick matched the routes to my ability level so that I could accomplish and complete climbs while also pushing myself to improve. In two days working with Rick and Tamas, I experienced the diverse climbs the park has to offer, including bouldering and a hike/​scramble through the «chasm of doom» that felt like equal parts bouldering and canyoning. Great for all ages and skill levels!

I have organized three rock climbing trips to Joshua Tree for our large Scout troop with Zeke and his excellent team. They were not only reliable to a T, but highly cooperative in helping the boys achieve their climbing merit badge. They coordinated with us to ensure that all requirements not met before the trip were addressed and signed off. Their guides were competent, friendly and enthusiastic. They were flexible in providing both full day and half day climbing programs for Scouts and parents alike. I highly recommend Joshua Tree Guides!

My whole family had such a great experience with Joshua Tree Guides.
For starters, I called a few guide companies while planning my trip.
At JTG I talked to a real person on the first call, not an answering machine. Desiree was so courteous, knowledgeable and just plain nice over the phone! Very professional in all interactions we had leading up to the trip.
I had a challenging request too because it was myself, my wife and my 18 year old twins, all with a wide variation in experience. Desiree set up a great agenda for us to make the most of our day in J-​tree and re-​assured me that our guide was great with all skill levels, that everyone would have fun regardless of abilities.
My wife is afraid of heights and I wasn’t sure we would even get her on the wall, but I also didn’t want to exclude her.
She ended up climbing right along with us, smiling at the top for pictures.
The twins had a blast and can’t wait to go again.
I learned invaluable real-​world top rope anchoring techniques that will get us all out of the climbing gym and onto the rocks safely.
Our guide Zeke was every bit as awesome as the online accolades lead you to believe. He’s a rare combination of experience, expertise and patience. He has a very reassuring and confidence-​inspiring demeanor that coaxes the best out you and in no time you are surprising yourself with what your capable of!
I could write a book about Joshua Tree Guides, but do yourself a favor, book an adventure with them. You will have the time of your life and zero
regrets.

I got a Groupon for 4 hours with a private climbing guide in Joshua Tree National Park. What a bargain! It would have been worth paying full price.
Our guide, Zeke, knew his stuff. His unobtrusive instruction and choice of climbs was sensitive to our different ability levels, so we each were able to push our climbing technique. We got what we paid for and more. Zeke behaved throughout with impeccable courtesy and professionalism (not coincidentally, this company clearly states its 48 hr cancellation policy both on the Groupon and on its website.)
I look forward to booking future climbs with this company.

My friends and I bought a groupon for a 4 hour private climbing tour in Joshua Tree NP, and it was AMAZING!
Our guide, Miriam, was so skilled, kind, patient, and excited about climbing that we couldn’t have asked for anyone better! She challenged us and encouraged us every step of the way while explaining everything perfectly step by step. She gave us 110% and all three of us can’t wait to come back and climb again when the temps cool down after summer!
If you’ve never been climbing in JTNP but want to, this is the company to call! They provide the shoes, harness, and helmets, and our guide even had snacks to offer us! Make sure to bring tons of water and sunscreen.