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Zion National Park Announces Schedule of Climbing Closures

Climbing routes on cliffs used by nesting Peregrine Falcons in Zion
National Park will be temporarily closed beginning March 1, 2012, in order
to protect the nesting success of this bird which is in recovery from
“endangered species” status. The closing date is based on analysis of
information collected from 2001-2011 regarding the peregrines’ arrival time
to their nesting cliffs in the park.

The following cliffs will be closed to climbing beginning March 1, 2012:
Angels Landing, Cable Mountain, The Great White Throne (beyond single- and
double-pitched climbs), Isaac (in Court of the Patriarchs), The Sentinel,
Mountain of the Sun, North Twin Brother, Tunnel Wall, The East Temple,
Mount Spry, The Streaked Wall, Mount Kinesava, and the Middle Fork of
Taylor Creek. All other cliffs will remain open to climbing.

Park biologists will monitor the nesting activity of Peregrine Falcons in
the park throughout the 2012 breeding season. Cliffs that have been closed
but are not being used by nesting peregrines this year, will be reopened
when nest sites have been determined, typically by late April or early May.
Those cliffs being used this year will be monitored until the chicks
fledge, usually in late July, and then will be reopened to climbing.

Zion National Park is home to a high concentration of breeding Peregrine
Falcons each spring and summer. These magnificent birds of prey were listed
as an “endangered species” in 1970 under the Endangered Species Act. Their
decline was primarily due to pesticides like DDT, which caused the female
to lay thin-shelled eggs that were easily broken, killing the developing
embryo inside. Thanks to the U.S. ban on DDT in 1972 as well as the success
of captive breeding programs, peregrine populations recovered across North
America and the species was delisted in 1999. Zion National Park has been
and continues to be an important sanctuary for peregrines and other
species. Even when peregrine populations were plummeting elsewhere, they
continued to successfully nest and raise their young on the tall cliffs
found in the park.

For up-to-date information on the status and maps of the closed climbing
cliffs, please check the Zion National Park website at
www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/climbing.htm. Climbers are responsible for
checking the specific maps of the closed areas. The website will be
continuously updated as cliffs are reopened.

Hiking Trails

Zion National Park Hiking Trails

Trail Etiquette

Hiking at Paragon

Why Sharing Trails Is Important

In many parts of the country, trails are open to and
shared by equestrians, OHV riders, bicycle riders,
runners and hikers. Trail sharing can and does
work when people respect each other and work
cooperatively to keep each other safe.

Guidelines for all trail enthusiasts: Common Courtesy

Yielding

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two men hiking
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir