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Yosemite Seasonal Climbing Closures March 1 - July 15
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Peregrine falcon and golden eagle breeding season is upon us, and our beloved raptors are busy re-establishing their territories throughout the park. Raptors are most vulnerable during their breeding season and are easily stressed when humans approach their nests. Please help us respect peregrine falcons and golden eagles nesting in Yosemite by complying with seasonal climbing closures. In the 1970's, peregrine falcons faced extinction with only two wild breeding pairs left in California. After banning DDT and years of committed management, they were removed from the Endangered Species Act in 1999. Since then, Yosemite biologists monitor nests annually to manage climbing closures effectively. Starting in March, surveys are conducted daily and climbing closures are updated accordingly throughout the birds' breeding season. Starting Friday, March 1, closures go into effect at Arch Rock, B.O.L.T. Wall, El Capitan SW and West Faces, Fairview Dome, Higher Cathedral Rock, Mt. Broderick, Parkline Slab, The Rostrum, Wapama Cliff, Wawona Dome, Widow's Tears, and Yosemite Point. If you want to climb or slackline at any of these areas, please check the closure notice first to prevent disturbing any cliff nesting raptors. The list of current closures can be found below and will be updated throughout the breading season. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/climbingclosures.htm Yosemite Peregrines: A Story of Hope We’d love to hear from you if you see peregrines or golden eagles in the park. You can email us at YOSE_climbing@nps.gov OR YOSE_peregrines@nps.gov. Thank you for helping to protect Yosemite's cliff nesting raptors! |
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Hooray for the raptors!!!! |
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Bring back the California condor to Yosemite ! |
Gerald Adams wrote: We're working on it and they've already made flights to the valley. Here's GPS data from two condors last spring.  |
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April 17th, 2024, Update: Closures lifted at Arch Rock, El Capitan West Face, and Parkline Slab See NPS webpage for current closures. Thank you for helping to protect Yosemite's cliff nesting raptors! |
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Thanks for the update! Just curious, have you guys tried giving them some Xanax and blasting Barry White down the canyon? |
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What the NPS doesn't say is that the closures are to protect you from the birds more than the other way around. I met the nesting pair on Wawona dome once (before it was being closed) - most scared I've been on a route. |
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As of July 15th, all peregrine falcon climbing closures have been lifted. There is one golden eagle closure at Elephant Rock that will be extended until July 31st. This year, park biologists confirmed and monitored 15 active peregrine nests and one golden eagle nest. Highlights from this field season include:
It’s truly a testament to everyone involved as to how far we’ve come in restoring this species. Thank you, Yosemite community, for your enthusiasm and work in helping to protect the park’s peregrine falcons and golden eagles. Happy Climbing/Slacklining! See a falcon? Eagle? Hawk? Email us observations: yose_peregrines@nps.gov Watch this epic video on the history of peregrines in Yosemite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do8Y7Tc9dxk |
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"Peregrine falcons mount a comeback in Yosemite, thanks to rock climbers" |
Dave Meyer wrote: Are working on their reintroduction? Back in about 1980 at UCSB we had a guest speaker come to one of my environmental studies classes to tell us all about the program they were planning. I’m happy to see how well it’s turned out. |
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Seasonal Climbing Closures: March 1 - July 15 Peregrine falcons and golden eagles are entering their critical nesting season, when they are highly sensitive to disturbance. Human activity near nests can lead to stress, nest abandonment, or failed reproduction. Please help protect these raptors by following seasonal climbing closures in Yosemite Starting Saturday, March 1, closures go into effect at the following locations:
If you want to climb or slackline at any of these areas, please check the closure notice first to prevent disturbing any cliff nesting raptors. The list of current closures can be found below and will be updated throughout the breading season. NPS Climbing Closure Webpage Want to learn more about the closure process? Check out our webpage. Yosemite Raptor Protection Program Climbing Closure Process Want to report a peregrine falcon or golden eagle sighting? Email us at YOSE_peregrines@nps.gov. Thank you for helping to protect Yosemite's cliff nesting raptors! |
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April 23rd, 2025 Update: CLOSURES are LIFTED at ELEPHANT ROCK, HIGHER CATHEDRAL ROCK, UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS, and YOSEMITE POINT. --- ***New CLOSURES in EFFECT at ARCH ROCK, HIGHER CATHEDRAL SPIRE, and RHOMBUS WALL.*** --- See NPS webpage for current closures. Thank you for helping to protect Yosemite's cliff nesting raptors!
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May 12, 2025 Update: CLOSURES are LIFTED at El CAPITAN, WEST FACE and MT. BRODERICK. --- ***New CLOSURES in EFFECT at EL CAPITAN, SW FACE.*** - New closure is a small area above Thanksgiving Ledge between and including “Dihedral Wall” to “Cosmos”. These specific top out routes are closed. The “Lurking Fear” finish via Thanksgiving Ledge remains open --- See NPS webpage for current closures. Thank you for helping to protect Yosemite's cliff nesting raptors!
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Great to see these conservation efforts continuing in spite of all the cuts to the NPS |
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Every year I still see turds climbing during the closure on the Rostrum. |
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June 10, 2025 Update: CLOSURES are LIFTED at WAPAMA CLIFF. --- ***New CLOSURES in EFFECT at HALF DOME SOUTH FACE.*** - Closure includes all routes between and including “Lost Again” to “Southern Belle”. (Effective 6/2/2025 --- See NPS webpage for current closures. Thank you for helping to protect Yosemite's cliff nesting raptors! |
