Area Protection – Peregrine Nesting Areas

May 24, 2016

The Peregrine Falcon is a fully protected species in California and a special status species in Yosemite National Park due to its sensitivity to disturbance during the nesting season. To protect this species, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating Peregrine Falcon nesting cliffs as areas closed to visitor use, including climbing and slack-lining activities, until Peregrine Falcon chicks have fledged and dispersed from those areas in 2016. 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): Closures go into effect on March 1 and remain in effect until July 15.  The following areas are currently closed to visitor use, including climbing activities until July 15, 2016, or until further notice:

• Arch Rock Area – All routes at Arch Rock are closed (Effective as of May 24, 2016).
• B.O.L.T. Wall – Immediately southwest of Leaning Tower. Closure includes all routes on the B.O.L.T. Wall.
• Mt. Broderick – West of Liberty Cap. Closure includes the entire SE face of Mt. Broderick opposite Liberty Cap (Effective as of April 26, 2016).
• El Capitan, Southeast Face – Closure includes all big wall routes between and including New Dawn, Reticent Wall, Wall of Early Morning Light, and Mescalito. The first 10 pitches of the closed routes, from the base of El Capitan, remain open.
• Fairview Dome, West Face – Tuolumne. Closure includes all routes between and including Heart of Stone to Lucky Streaks. All other routes remain open.
• Hetch Hetchy – Closed area includes Kolana Rock. 
• Medlicott Dome – Tuolumne. Closure includes all routes between and including Shambles to Bogey Meets Mr. Porcupine.
• Rhombus Wall – Above Ahwahnee Meadow. Closure includes all routes west of Super Slide to the Ahwahnee Ramps, including all routes on the Rhombus Wall.
• The Rostrum – Lower Merced Canyon. Closure includes climbing routes on all sides of the Rostrum formation. Super Nova and the Jungle Gym area remain open. Slack-lining is prohibited at the summit and the top of the adjacent cliff.
• 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 (Effective as of May 24, 2016).

CLOSURES are LIFTED at El Capitan Southwest Face, Half Dome Northwest Face, Lost Arrow Spire, Yosemite Point, and Wapama Cliff. 

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. Your cooperation in complying with these temporary restrictions is greatly appreciated. 

The designation will remain in place until rescinded.