Zion restricts climbing routes to protect falcons

ZION NATIONAL PARK (AP) — Some climbing routes in Zion National Park will be closed next month to protect nesting falcons.

Peregrines are recovering from endangered-species status and should soon start breeding in Zion's cliffs.

To protect nesting areas, some cliffs will close March 1 and reopen in late July. Other climbing routes will reopen in May.

These cliffs will be closed: Mount Kinesava, Streaked Wall, Sentinel, Mountain of the Sun, Great White Throne (beyond single and double-pitched climbs), Cable Mountain, Isaac, North Twin Brother, Middle Fork of Taylor Creek, the northeast buttress of Angel's Landing and Tunnel West.