Pinnacles climbing areas reopen

Pinnacles National Monument staff announced earlier this week that the areas in the park that had been closed to rock climbing and off-trail hiking to protect nesting falcons and eagles have now been reopened. A total of eight prairie falcon nests successfully produced nestlings and fledged a total of 29 young, representing an average year for Pinnacles prairie falcon productivity. Other nesting raptor species at Pinnacles in 2012 included red-shouldered, red-tailed, sharp-shinned, and Cooper’s hawks, golden eagles, white-tailed kites, three owl species, and one Peregrine falcon nest at Hawkins Peak.
This is the 26th consecutive year of raptor monitoring at Pinnacles National Monument.
Pinnacles’ rock climbing advisories are lifted a few weeks after the nests have fledged. This allows the new fledglings some time to practice flying without being interrupted or disturbed by people.
For more information regarding raptor activity here, call (831) 389-4486 x270.