August 1 is a day for rock climbers throughout the Northeast to rejoice. That’s because it’s the day when climbing routes that have been closed due to peregrine falcons are officially reopened. (With one notable exception.)
Many climbing routes throughout the Northeast were closed in early spring to protect nesting peregrine falcons.
Closures occur each spring to provide peregrine falcons—an endangered species—with adequate space for nesting and to protect them from inadvertent human disturbance or harassment during the nesting period.
On April 1, officials with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation closed rock climbing routes at several locations, including Chapel Pond, Poke-O-Moonshine, Crane Mountain, and Potash Mountain.
As of August 1, all climbing routes in New York that were closed to due falcons are now open.
In Vermont, state officials and members of the Audubon Society also announced that peregrine falcon nesting closures have been lifted.
The means cliffs are now open at Propect Rock, Bone Mountain, Marshfield Ledge, Nichols Ledge, App Gap, and Upper Upper West.
While Upper Upper West is open, officials with the climbing group CRAG-VT warned climbers that in past years, the falcons at the cliff have occasionally remained territorial into August, and climbers should use caution.
The falcon closure was also lifted at Vermont’s Eagle Hollow. However, CRAG-VT officials said a landowner has currently posted the cliff as “CLOSED” and the group asks that climbers respect that closure. CRAG-VT officials are currently working on access issues with the landowner.
Sections of New Hampshire’s popular Rumney Rocks Climbing Area were also closed due to falcons in early April. Forest Service officials announced those areas were open as of July 13.
One area closed in the spring that has not yet been given the green light is Acadia National Park.
In March, officials with the National Park Service announced that several hiking trails in Acadia National Park would be closed due to peregrine falcons. Those areas included Jordan Cliffs Trail, Penobscot East Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail. In addition, the parking lot for the Precipice Trail would remain closed to vehicles until further notice.
The National Park Service has yet to release a statement on the status of those closures.
