Cathedral Spires Raptor Closure

As many of you know we are quickly approaching the start of the seasonal raptor closure at the Cathedral Spires. As usual the closure will go in effect on March 01. In years past this has meant no access to any of the formations until August 01. This year, however, things are going to look a little bit different. Once the nest site has been identified, Open Space will be opening up areas away from the nesting area to climbing. How this will look exactly depends greatly on where the birds nest. I will post updates as I know more, and of course please post any questions that you might have.

Mike Morin
Park Ranger
Jefferson County Open Space

Thanks Mike! That is great news.

Thanks Mike

How long does it take them to choose a nest site? I assume there will be the full closure until the nest sites are confirmed?

That is correct, the closure will begin as a full closure of all the formations. I was told that ledge confirmation would likely be sometime around April/May. Meaning that the birds find a nest site to their liking, and staff and volunteers are able to identify it positively.

Thanks for posting up and sharing the information.

Looking forward to updates as the season progresses.

Thanks Mike for the work. Very cool to see that this year may not be a complete closure if not necessary.
Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
cheers,
BA

Thanks mike! Glad to see this becoming more common around CO.

Is it true they put sharks with laser beams in the river just in case?

Mike,

We, the climing community, appreciate the new approach this year with partial openings away from raptor nests.

Thanx - Kent

Do Raptors taste good?

Mark Nelson wrote:Is it true they put sharks with laser beams in the river just in case?

We now use Abert's with bazookas.

England wrote:Do Raptors taste good?

Only when deep fried.

Mike, I want to thank you and the Open Space team for adopting the enlightened approach towards raptor closures. I have witnessed substantial animosity towards governing bodies over the years regarding this issue. Frankly, it has been justified. Closing an entire area to protect 1 or 2 nests is completely illogical. The current approach will engender respect for the governing bodies, and this is a good thing.

This area is close to my heart and it was tragic that we could not climb there for half the good climbing season. Thanks so much for making this happen, and forwarding the good news.

Everyone should buy Mike a beer. He's been working really hard on this issue for years now and am glad to have such a strong climber advocate within JeffCo. It was a painfully slow journey, but we made it buddy! Great job!

Everyone should buy Mike a beer.

I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY JASON!!!

Jason Haas wrote:Everyone should buy Mike a beer. He's been working really hard on this issue for years now and am glad to have such a strong climber advocate within JeffCo. It was a painfully slow journey, but we made it buddy! Great job!

+1

Jason Haas wrote:Everyone should buy Mike a beer. He's been working really hard on this issue for years now and am glad to have such a strong climber advocate within JeffCo. It was a painfully slow journey, but we made it buddy! Great job!

Thanks Jason, I greatly appreciate the kind words. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't point out that without managers and coworkers with open ears and open minds this never would have occurred. I would direct much praise to those folks as well.

Also, every climber who has ever been a steward of the areas they enjoy, and been cognizant of the fact that their actions reflect on the whole should know that they deserve a pat on the back as well. It's easy to speak up for a "user group" when the majority will back you up with their actions.

Wow Mike, that's outstanding!! Great job and thnk you very much!

England wrote:Do Raptors taste good?

They do, especially beer-basted. The ones around the flatirons are relatively slow, and easy to take down with a well aimed hex too. Probably all the pot smoke and good karma drifting up from below...

Hey Mike- Could you comment on the rumor that the bishop is technically on private property, therefore not subject to the closure?

Devan Johnson wrote:Hey Mike- Could you comment on the rumor that the bishop is technically on private property, therefore not subject to the closure?

The Bishop is on private property, therefore an Open Space closure wouldn't apply to that formation. However, my opinion is that you should talk to the land owner, and see how he feels about climbing the formation during the nesting season. It may be a non-issue, but would be a small courtesy given his long standing climber friendly attitude.

Yep, good style. Thanks for all your work.