The "Real" Hall of Horrors!!

 Way back in the summer of 2021, I hiked the area in Joshua Tree National Park called "The Hall of Horrors" for the first time (to see the post, click here). I was there to try and find an arch called "Triumph Arch", but I couldn't help wondering about the scary name. After successfully finding the arch, looked around for the Hall of Horrors, but was unable to find it. I headed home and did a little research. It turns out, hidden deep in the rocks is a long, narrow, high-walled "hallway." It's a fun challenge for rock climbers (especially if they have Spiderman superpowers!), and it's where Hall of Horrors got its name. Rock climbers name many of the formations in the Park, and they come up with some that are pretty wild! Here are just a few examples:

• A View to a Thrill
• All Pain, No Gain
• Anglosaxophone
• Burnt Weenie Sandwich
• Erotic Dome
• Harpo Speaks
• Just Plain Stupid
• Mulligan Slab 
• Tilt-O-Meter 

You get the idea. There are literally thousands of these names throughout the Park. Check out the excellent reference Joshua Tree Bouldering by Robert Miramontes.

 

Oh, and if you're claustrophobic, Hall of Horrors is best avoided!

Triumph Arch and a random climber who joined me for a few minutes as we explored the arch (2021).

 
So here I am again, 5 years later. What took me so long to return?? I decided on this visit, I would try to find the Hall of Horrors, but my main objective was to take some sunset photos and then stay for the Milky Way. This time I did some research and had a pretty good idea as to the location. Reviews of the Hall of Horrors mentioned it's hard to find, and a number of people were discouraged after hours of looking. People also said that if you do find it, it's difficult to get into. A number of people mentioned having to squeeze through some tight boulder spaces. I gave myself a 50/50 chance at best (I'm too old to squeeze through much of anything!!). Let's go see what we can find.

 

This rock formation looks like it melted under the sun!

 

Giant egg-shaped rock along the trail.

 

A rare opportunity to enjoy some shade.

 

 

 

We must be getting close. This climber's marker identifies the Hall of Horrors as straight ahead, somewhere in the rocky boulders. Why "real" Hall of Horrors? Is there a fake?? Accept no substitutes!!

This is the second arrow in the sand I come across in my search. It's taking some of the fun out of it, making it a little too easy. I climb past the Nolina bush, get on top of that big flat boulder, and from there I can see the Hall of Horrors. It's really amazing!

The Hall is impressively long and very high. It's narrow, but not oppressively so. My problem is there's a large boulder blocking the entrance to the Hall (not shown in the photo). I try squeezing under some rocks, which isn't too bad, but then there's a second area to squeeze under that is just too small. If you're a small, petite, flexible person, no problem. But I'm not small, or petite, or flexible! And the thought of getting stuck under boulders on a solo hike scares me enough that I don't make the attempt. I backtrack to where I started, and it looks like the only other way into the Hall is over the top of the boulder. I estimate it would be 6-7' down the smooth face of the bolder before a landing that I can't see. But the bigger issue it how to get back out of the Hall?? Climbing back up the smooth boulder may not be possible.

Photo credit: Flying Dawn Marie

This photo (which I came across after my hike) shows the boulder blocking the Hall of Horrors from the inside. You can see the area on the lower left that some petite people said they squeezed through. It's smaller than it looks from this view. From the top of the boulder (where the woman is standing), that little ledge in the boulder isn't visible. Also, I don't recall seeing the rocks at the base of the boulder. From this view, it looks like you could perhaps slide down a short distance on your tummy and catch that ledge with your foot. Likewise, it might give you footing for the climb out. Maybe another time when I'm hiking with a partner!

Photo credit: Aarika Chilson

My research turns up the fact that there is a second, narrower Hall of Horrors that runs parallel to the "Real" Hall of Horrors. Nope, no way would I even consider it!

Photo credit: www.pinterest.com.pin214695107214087598

If you're a rock climber, I guess you can do crazy stuff like this!!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

 

PS: I'll be posting sunset and night photos from this hike in the future.