I Taught I Saw A Puddy Cat is a compact, punchy trad climb perched on Bobcat Rock within Joshua Tree’s Wonderland of Rocks, offering 50 feet of engaging movement that balances technical challenge with straightforward protection. From the moment you step onto the rock, the route demands a confident stemming move to bypass the start, immediately bringing your body into contact with the sun-warmed granite and the subtle grind of the desert wind. Above this initial move, the line opens into a rhythm of easy jams, allowing your hands and feet to settle into the texture of the rock. The climb shifts character higher up where the crux awaits—a series of delicate lieback moves requiring precise technique and careful placement of small pro. These tiny pieces are critical here, pushing you to trust both your gear and your body as you maneuver past the pinch and onto larger holds leading to the top-out.

The surrounding landscape pulses with classic Joshua Tree energy: rough granite sprawled beneath clear blue skies, punctuated by the occasional creosote bush and scraggly brush guarding the approach. The route’s exposure is moderate, absorbing the mid-morning sun without overbearing heat, making it well-suited for cool desert days or early spring climbs before the summer scorcher arrives. While the line is a single pitch, the opportunity to flow through stemming, jams, and technical laybacks packs a nuanced variety into a short route.

Planning your trip here means preparing for the desert environment—bring plenty of water, sun protection, and wear footwear that compliments friction and precision on the granite surface. A rack equipped for standard trad plus a couple of the smallest cams or nuts will keep you covered through the crux section. The approach is straightforward, set in the Wonderland North area, popular among trad climbers looking for quality rock without a long slog.

Overall, I Taught I Saw A Puddy Cat stands out as a solid mid-grade trad climb that rewards precise gear placements and calm execution. It’s a perfect introduction to Joshua Tree’s granite detail, offering a varied and satisfying push to the top with beautiful desert views and a manageable objective in terms of length and complexity.