For Immediate Release

CLIMBING AREAS REOPEN

Rock formations subject to advisory closures to rock climbing and off-trail hiking for protecting nesting falcons and eagles will reopen June 30, 2004. A total of 33 Prairie Falcons fledged this year from nine nests, a successful year for the falcons. Additionally, American Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Cooper's Hawks produced young this year. There was at least one successful Golden Eagle nest this year.

Pinnacles' rock climbing advisories are lifted a few weeks after the nests have fledged young. Park visitors did an excellent job of following advisories.

Pinnacles National Monument can only successfully protect raptors with everyone's help. We thank the climbers and hikers for their patience and support of our efforts to protect our spectacular birds of prey at Pinnacles. "Without your cooperation in avoiding the advisory areas, this program could not be the success that it is," stated Park Superintendent, Cicely Muldoon.

For more information regarding the reopening of the climbing areas, or the park's raptor monitoring program, please call the office of Research and Resource Management at 831-389-4485 extension 223. General park information can be obtained by visiting the Park Web site or by calling 831-389-4485 extension 0.