Looking deep into the Chasm of Doom

Chasm of Doom Exploration: South Portal to The Coffin to North Portal (Joshua Tree National Park, CA)

Jim Brisbine·
CanyoneeringJoshua Tree National ParkUSA: California
·449 views

Trip Date: March 29, 2021

2021 ARIZONA & CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE VACATION

Chasm of Doom Exploration Loop: South Portal to North Portal

The Coffin
The Birth Canal

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Trip Report Summary

Region: California

Sub-Region: Southern California

Sub-Sub-Region: Little San Bernardino Mountains

Area: Joshua Tree National Park

Starting & Ending Point: Hidden Valley Campground parking lot on Park Boulevard

Way Points: South Portal & The Coffin & The Birth Canal & North Portal (rock scramble)

Approximate Stats: 0.1 miles traveled; 100 feet gained & lost; 1.1 hours elapsed.

Trip Vicinity Map
Joshua Tree Nat Park Location Map

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Trip Overview

Joshua Tree National Park is best known for its rock climbing, bouldering, and hiking opportunities, as well as the eponymous and ubiquitous Joshua trees themselves.  However, there is one fabulous attraction that is not well known.  It’s called “The Chasm of Doom.”  Admittedly, such ominous names are often given to natural features that are very interesting yet fairly innocuous, but that is NOT the case here; this one really lives up to its name.  In fact, my palms get a little sweaty just by typing about it after the fact!

The Chasm of Doom could be well-described as a scrambling route, a canyoneering adventure, a navigational puzzle, and a house of horrors.  It requires moderate agility, good spatial awareness, and a high tolerance for tightly enclosed spaces.  People with even the slightest bit of claustrophobia will not enjoy the narrow chasm, and those with a large physique will find the crux particularly challenging.  If you do decide to go for it, plan on taking an hour or more for the entire exploration loop.

The Chasm of Doom is hidden inside a benign-looking granitic outcrop adjacent to Hidden Valley Campground, which sits approximately ½ mile off Park Boulevard in the northwestern portion of JTNP.  The loop begins and ends at the campground’s parking lot and can be performed in either a clockwise (south-to-north) direction or a counter-clockwise (north-to-south) direction.  The following paragraphs and photos describes a clockwise trek, which seems to be far more common and a bit easier.

Route Description

To find the south portal of the chasm, start at the western edge of the parking lot and walk through some picnic/camping sites until you are looking up at the south (left) side of the outcrop.  From this vantage, the outcrop appears to be nothing more than a large pile of big granite boulders.

South Side Of Chasm Of Doom Outcrop
Heading Toward South Portal At Chasm Of Doom

Scramble up through the boulders, zigzagging back and forth, always following the easiest path.  After several minutes of scrambling, look for a small palm tree growing next to a rock face.  The route ahead is not obvious, but you can actually squeeze under or around this tree.

Brooke Scrambling Toward South Portal Of Chasm Of Doom
Squeezing Under Tree Near South Portal Of Chasm Of Doom

Once past the palm tree, you will see a tunnel leading into the outcrop, between huge boulders.  This point represents the south portal of the Chasm of Doom.

Eileen Entering Chasm Of Doom
Jim Entering Chasm Of Doom

Head into the chasm and keep scrambling upward.  There are lots of fun Class 3 moves required to make progress but nothing is very exposed.  The chasm quickly gets narrower and darker, so you will need a headlamp from here on.

Squeezing Thru Chasm Of Doom
Staring Into The Chasm Of Doom

The chasm eventually ends at a rock wall that appears to be an impasse.  Looking around, possibly down near your feet, you will see a narrow (about 10 to 12 inches wide) horizontal crack in the wall.  This crack is called “The Coffin,” which is something of a misnomer because most coffins are actually much roomier!  Fear not, though; it will lead you to daylight.  Take a few calming breaths before squeezing into the crack.  I found it best to go in headfirst and face up, but there are other feasible techniques.

>>> Short Video: Squeezing Thru The Coffin

After several feet of anxious scootching, you will come to a vertical crack that allows you to stand up.  Whew! Climb straight upward to a small window that opens onto another part of the chasm.  Duck through this window, then slither down an uncomfortably narrow slot that is appropriately called “The Birth Canal.”

Descending The Birth Canal (photo by Brooke)

>>> Short Video: Slithering Down The Birth Canal

Once out of The Birth Canal, keep scrambling down through the chasm as it widens and brightens.  A short walk between boulders leads you out the north portal to a sandy trail that quickly takes you back to your starting point.

North Portal At Chasm Of Doom

Chasm Location Maps

Chasm Of Doom Location Overview Map

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Chasm Of Doom Location Detail Map

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Click to enlarge…

South Side Of Chasm Of Doom Outcrop
Heading Toward South Portal At Chasm Of Doom
Brooke Scrambling Into Chasm Of Doom
South Portal At Chasm Of Doom
Eileen Entering Chasm Of Doom
Jim Entering Chasm Of Doom
Eileen In The Chasm Of Doom
Looking deep into the Chasm of Doom
Headlamp In Chasm Of Doom
Dan & Eileen In The Chasm Of Doom
Squeezing Thru Chasm Of Doom
Standing In Chasm Of Doom
Dan Descending The Birth Canal (photo by Brooke)
North Portal At Chasm Of Doom