March 1, 2011
revised April 1, 2011 to add Arch Rock and Fifi Buttress
revised April 18, 2011 to remove El Capitan, Southeast Face and Kolana Rock
revised June 22, 2011

Peregrine falcons are recovering from population decline. Their status is currently being evaluated nationwide as part of a 15-year monitoring program following their delisting in 1999 under the Endangered Species Act. To protect this species, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating peregrine nesting cliffs as areas closed to visitor use, including climbing and slack-lining activities, until peregrine chicks have fledged and dispersed from those areas in 2011.

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section (a)(1):
The following areas are identified as cliffs closed to visitor use, including climbing activities, beginning March 1, 2011, and remaining in effect until August 1, 2011, or until further notice:

• El Capitan, Southeast Face. Closure includes all big wall routes between and including "South Seas/Pacific Ocean Wall" and "Native Son." At the base, the first 4 pitches of all routes remain open.
  
• Arch Rock Area - Lower Merced Canyon. Closure includes all routes from "Anticipation" east to "Grokin," Arch Rock Pinnacle, and above Arch Rock's main wall, from "Cross Country Crack" east to but not including "Juliette's Flake." All routes from "Pass or Fail" west including "Now," Omakara," and "Later" remain open.
  
• The Rostrum - Lower Merced Canyon. Closure includes "Super Nova" and extends west to all climbing routes on all sides of the Rostrum. The "Jungle Gym" area remains open. Slack-lining is prohibited at the summit and the top of the adjacent cliff.
  
• Fifi Buttress - Immediately west of Leaning Tower. Closure includes all routes on Fifi Buttress except one-pitch routes at the base.
  
• Rhombus Wall - Above Ahwahnee Meadow. Closure includes all routes west of "Super Slide" to the Ahwahnee Ramps, including all routes on the Rhombus Wall.
  
• Glacier Point, east side - East of Glacier Point Apron. Closure includes all routes above 200 feet from the base of the cliff east of Glacier Point Apron including "A Mother's Lament" to the Illilouette Gorge.
  Half Dome, South Face - Overlooking Little Yosemite Valley. Closure includes all routes from "Autobahn" east to and including "South Face Route."
  
• Hetch Hetchy - Closed area includes Kolana Rock and Wapama Cliff, immediately west of Wapama Falls.

Notices of climbing closures will be posted and nest sites will be monitored to provide current information on nesting status and to ensure prompt re-opening of these areas. Closures are subject to change based on current nesting status. Helicopter and other aircraft should avoid operating within 1/2 mile of these areas, unless necessary to protect human life. Your cooperation in complying with these temporary restrictions is greatly appreciated.

 

Learn more about special status bird species in Yosemite National Park.