File photo / Byron Hetzler
Sunday begins several closures in Rocky Mountain National Park as part of an effort to protect nesting raptors in the Lumpy Ridge area.
The park closed climbing sites Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sundance, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, and Twin Owls, Rock One to the public on Sunday.
Sites are scheduled to remain closed until July 31, but the closures may be extended or ended early depending on the nesting season.
The closures include all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber access trails to the named rock formations.
Closures occur in these specific areas of the park during the raptors’ nesting season to ensure they aren’t disturbed. The areas are also monitored by wildlife managers during the season.
“The same cliffs that are critical for raptors also appeal to climbers,” said Rocky’s spokesperson Kyle Patterson in a news release. “The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in the park.”
Check the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/area_closures.htm for updated information on raptor closures.