Climbing Closures

Learn and Explore

Closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection

The peregrine falcon is a fully protected species in California and a special status species in Yosemite due to its sensitivity to disturbance during the nesting season. To protect this species, the superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating peregrine nesting cliffs as areas closed to visitor use, including climbing and slacklining activities, until peregrine chicks have fledged and dispersed from those areas in 2021. 

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, 2021 and remaining in effect until July 15, 2021, or until further notice:

Rock Climbing

• Overview of Rock Climbing
• Climbing Permits
• Climbing Regulations
• Climbing Closures
• Climbing Safety
• Climbing and Food Storage

 

1. Arch Rock Area – Closure includes all routes of Arch Rock.
2. B.O.L.T. Wall – Immediately southwest of Leaning Tower. Closure includes all routes on the B.O.L.T. Wall.
3. El Capitan, Southwest Face – Closure includes all routes between and including "Aquarian Wall" east to "Cosmos." The closure also includes the portion of "Thanksgiving Ledge" between "Aquarian Wall" to "Cosmos." All other portions of "Thanksgiving Ledge" and the first 10 pitches from the base of the closed routes remain open.
4. Fairview Dome, West Face – Tuolumne Meadows. Closure includes all routes between and including “Heart of Stone” to “Lucky Streaks.” All other routes remain open.
5. Higher Cathedral Spire – Cathedral Spires Area. Closure includes all routes between and including "Northwest Face" to "Spire It Up." The "Regular Route" remains open.
6. Mt. Broderick – West of Liberty Cap. Closure includes the entire SE face of Mt. Broderick opposite Liberty Capitan.
7. The Rostrum – Lower Merced Canyon. Closure includes climbing routes on all sides of the Rostrum formation. Super Nova and the Jungle Gym areas remain open. Slack-lining is prohibited at the summit and the top of the adjacent cliff.
8. Wapama Cliff – Hetch Hetchy. All routes on Wapama Cliff are closed.
9. Wawona Dome – Closure includes all routes between and including “Cream of the Crop” to “Bark at the Moon.” From the base, the first pitch of the closed routes between and including “Lunar Eclipse” to “Bird in Flight” will remain open.
10. Widow's Tears – Closure includes all routes within the Widow's Tears Alcove. Routes on Tower of Cosmic Wind remain open.
11. Yosemite Point – Closure includes all routes between and including “Czech Route” and “Yosemite Point Buttress.” The first 3 pitches of “Czech Route” and the first 5 pitches of “Yosemite Point Buttress” remain open.

Nest sites will be monitored to provide current information on nesting status and to ensure prompt re-opening of these areas when appropriate. Closures are subject to change based on current nesting status. The designation will remain in place until rescinded.

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