Climbing Closures in Ten Sleep Canyon

The Bighorn National Forest announced Thursday the voluntary closure of the Valhalla climbing area of US Highway 16 due to confirmed raptor nesting activity in Tensleep Canyon. According to information from the Forest Service, the closure includes all climbing routes between “Wicked as an M16” of Munitions Wall and “Halfway House” of House Wall and routes between “Caterpillar Exodus” of Caterpillar Wall and “More Brawny than Scrawny” of Firm Wall. The area is closed through August 15. Monitoring of the nest site will continue throughout the summer.

It should be noted that the Bighorn National Forest is not involved in the naming of rock climbing routes. Route developers and first ascensionists name rock climbing routes. According to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, land management agencies are required to prevent a ‘take’ of specific bird species. Among other actions, law states a take includes disturbing the birds while they are nesting. If you have questions, please contact Bonnie Allison, south zone wildlife biologist, at 307-684-7806 or bonnie.allison@usda.gov.