Climbing Closures

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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 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 “Peter Pan” east to the “Dihedral Wall."
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. Fifi Buttress – Closure includes routes “Bird of Prey” and “To Infinity.” From the base, single pitches “Fifi La Roo” to “Marathon” remain open. All other routes remain open.
6. Hetch Hetchy – Closed area includes Kolana Rock and Wapama Cliff.
7. Lost Arrow Spire – Closure includes all routes between and including “Lost Arrow Spire Direct” and “Satanic Ritual Abuse” to “Rainbow.” All activities including, but not limited to, slacklining, high-lining, and Tyrolean traverse are prohibited at the summit of Lost Arrow Spire and the top of the adjacent cliff.
8. Mt. Broderick – West of Liberty Cap. Closure includes the entire SE face of Mt. Broderick opposite Liberty Capitan.
9. Rhombus Wall – Above Ahwahnee Meadow. Closure includes all routes west of “Super Slide” to the Ahwahnee Ramps, including all routes on the Rhombus Wall.
10. 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. Slacklining is prohibited at the summit and the top of the adjacent cliff.
11. Sentinel Rock – Closure includes all routes between and including “Kor-Denny” to “Chouinard-Herbert.” From the base, the first 6 pitches of the closed routes remain open. The “Steck-Salathe” remains open.
12. Washington Column – Closure includes all routes between and including “Ten Days After” to “Bad Wall.” “Astroman” is closed. “The Prow” remains open.
13. 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.

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.