Rocky Mountain National Park has announced a number of areas that will be temporarily closed to climbers and hikers in order to protect raptor nesting sites.
Each year to protect raptor nesting sites, park officials initiate temporary closures in the Lumpy Ridge and Sheep Mountain areas of the park. To ensure that the raptors can nest undisturbed, specific areas within the park are closed to public use during nesting season and monitored by wildlife managers.
“The same cliffs that are critical for raptors also appeal to climbers, Park officials said in a release. “The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in the park.”
All closures started Sunday and will continue through July 31, if appropriate. Officials said the closures may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on nesting activity.
Closures include Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Alligator Rock, Sheep Mountain, and Twin Owls, Rock One. These closures include the named formations. Closures include all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber access trails to the named rock formations.
Interested parties can check the park’s website at for updated information on raptor closures.
