Zion National Park climbing routes re-open after successful peregrine falcon nesting season
By Aly Baltrus
Most climbing routes on cliffs used by nesting peregrine falcons in Zion National Park re-opened Aug. 1. The following cliffs are once again open to climbing: The East Temple, Mount Isaac (in Court of the Patriarchs), Tunnel Wall, Mount Kinesava, Mount Spry, The Streaked Wall, and the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek. The Angels Landing climbing route will remain closed due to the trail closure at Refrigerator Canyon.
Closures were initiated March 1 in order to protect peregrine falcon nesting areas. Since March, park wildlife biologists have monitored nesting activity within five territories. Five territories were occupied by pairs of adults. Four juveniles successfully fledged, including two on the Tunnel Wall and two on Angels Landing. Park biologists did detect a nest on Mount Isaac but did not detect any fledged chicks. A breeding pair was observed on Mount Kinesava, but reproduction was not detected.
The cliffs of Zion National Park are home to a high concentration of breeding peregrine falcons each spring and summer. Peregrines are amazing fliers who catch birds and occasionally bats in mid-air. They often nest high on cliff faces. These magnificent birds of prey were listed as an endangered species in 1970 under the Endangered Species Act. Following captive breeding efforts and the U.S. ban on DDT, peregrine numbers rebounded, and the species was removed from the endangered species list in 1999. Zion National Park has been and continues to be an important sanctuary for peregrines and many other wildlife species.
Zion National Park thanks the climbing community for its cooperation through the 2018 breeding season and appreciates its assistance with protecting the park’s wildlife resources.
Climbers are also reminded of the trail closures on West Rim Trail, Upper Emerald Pools Trail, and Kayenta Trail. Those trails are not available as exit routes.
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