I just got back from Joshua Tree, but I checked everything, so I'm not much help. We did get an email back from TSA regarding carrying it on - it basically said it was at the discretion of security screeners. So it's probably a toss-up.
What good is just shoes anyway, unless you want to just boulder - if you've got to spring for all new gear because of a F*ck up - might as well go all out!