Access Status

ALL CLOSURES LIFTED!!!

Thanks all for following the closures!

HIGHWAY FACE IS NOW OPEN! Happy to report that the Redtail Hawk fledged two young this year from that area!

The following areas are still closed:
❌ Nixon Head – CLOSED
❌ Face Canyon – CLOSED

We have one closure lifted – SCARY CANYON IS NOW OPEN! The following closures are still in effect:

❌ Steep Wall – CLOSED
❌ The Far Side – CLOSED
❌ Nixon Head – CLOSED
❌ Highway Face – CLOSED
❌ Face Canyon – CLOSED

A reminder about closures:

• Please alert us if you see any raptor activity so that we can notify volunteer raptor monitors to assess.
• Give nests, and the closed areas, plenty of space.
• Educate your friends about these closures.
• SHARE this information amongst your community.
• Explore some of the other walls the Black Cliffs offer.

Weekend weather looks great for the Black Cliffs! Friendly reminder that the following areas are CLOSED for raptor nesting:

❌ Steep Wall
❌ The Far Side
❌ Nixon Head
❌ Scary Canyon
❌ Highway Face
❌ Face Canyon

Please do not hike to the top of the cliffs to set up topropes. This is a critical winter wildlife area. The area is monitored by Fish & Game and hiking up there could result in fines for you and denied access to Carbody Canyon for all.

• Please alert us if you see any raptor activity so that we can notify volunteer raptor monitors to assess.
• Give nests, and the closed areas, plenty of space.
• Educate your friends about these closures.
• SHARE this information amongst your community.
• Explore some of the other walls the Black Cliffs offer.

Happy Derby Day! TLDR: Scary is now open! And save the date May 20th for a trail day.  

❌ Nixon Head – CLOSED
✅ Scary Canyon – OPEN
✅ East Car Body – OPEN
✅ Highway Face – OPEN
✅ Face Canyon – OPEN

Scary Canyon is now open!

Our awesome raptor intern alerted us today that Scary can now safely open, but Nixon is to remain closed. We really appreciate all the active monitoring this season, and all the climbers who have helped educate and chose to climb elsewhere.  

Black Cliffs Trail Day

This wet winter is showing on the trails. May 20th , earlier in the day, come with your own snacks, water, gloves, and tools if you have them. This is not an official adopt-a-crag, and with more hands the work can get done faster.  Exact time to be determined closer to the date, because weather depending.

❌ Scary Canyon – CLOSED
❌ Nixon Head – CLOSED
✅ East Car Body – OPEN
✅ Highway Face – OPEN
✅ Face Canyon – OPEN

The good news! For the first time in many years we can say there were no closure violations that we know of. Thank you very much! Thank you for educating your friends and being part of this community.

The not great news: Some nests did fail. However, failures this year were probably due to the weather and not climbers.

Note for Mountain Project Users

If you are using Mountain Project, we have noticed the closures only update when you update the app.

General Reminder

Please be aware that while the areas are open, there are still active raptors in the area and we want to respect their homes by keeping pets under control and noise to a minimum. If you see bird activity, please alert us.

And again, we had an interesting winter so please be aware of the dangers of rock fall during spring thaws. Climb on!

❌ Highway Face – CLOSED
❌ Face Canyon – CLOSED
❌ Scary Canyon – CLOSED
❌ Nixon Head – CLOSED
❌ East Car Body – CLOSED

Immediate closure update! Face Canyon and Highway Face are now closed! Raptor intern Mackey spotted nests today. Thanks to you all for educating your friends and respecting closures. With the weather and winter thaw, there has also been reports of loose rock, so be aware when climbing.

Above the Black Cliffs

This is a critical winter wildlife area. Do not set up top ropes or access from above. This area is monitored by Fish and Game and could result in fines for you, as well as denied access to Car Body for all.

What you can do to help us!

• Please alert us if see any raptor activity and we will send volunteer raptor monitors to assess it.
• Give nests, and these areas, space.
• Educate your friends and share the information.
• Climb in all the other areas, the Black Cliffs has a lot to offer!