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Suggested Page Improvements to Indian Creek
Anyway- I have some updated information on spring/summer 2019 raptor nesting and climbing avoidance areas for IC that I would like to get posted on MP (I see the last information was from 2017). Could you advise me on how to do this? Or who needs to get this information so they can post it? I'm really going to try keeping information current and pertinent both on-line and on the ground, that way it will be more useful. I'm hoping to update the avoidance areas throughout the season so as soon as a nesting site or wall is vacated the wall(s) will be removed from the list of avoidance areas- so you'll probably be hearing from me periodically.
I really appreciate your assistance- take care-
News Release
Monticello, Utah
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Lisa Bryant
September 3, 2019 (435) 259-2187
All Indian Creek climbing walls open
The BLM thanks the climbing community for their cooperation
MONTICELLO, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sincerely thanks the climbing community for their efforts to avoid raptor nesting sites during the past nesting season. All walls within the Indian Creek corridor are available for fall climbing.
In February, the BLM asked climbers to voluntarily avoid climbing on routes near historic nest sites in the Indian Creek climbing area. Minimizing disturbance during crucial egg incubation and brood rearing periods for peregrine falcons, eagles, and other raptors is critical to successfully rearing young. A BLM wildlife biologist monitored active nests weekly throughout the season. At mid-season the BLM cleared several walls for climbing where the agency confirmed no nesting activity. Through continued monitoring, the BLM determined at least two peregrine falcon pairs reared chicks and they have successfully fledged.
“Cooperative stewardship efforts of public land managers, biologists, ranchers and farmers, and wildlife conservationists, and recreationists helped remove peregrines from the Federal Endangered Species list in 1999,” said Lisa Bryant, Canyon Country spokesperson. “Thanks to these continued cooperative efforts, falcon, eagle, and hawk populations continue to rebound and raptors often grace the cliffs and skies of southeastern Utah.”
Peregrine falcons are remarkable birds that nest and hunt in the cliffs surrounding Indian Creek. They can fly up to 70 miles per hour and reach up to 200 miles per hour in free fall dives. However, despite their speed and agility, fifty years ago these birds were in danger and their population levels were very low. Being a good steward means respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe viewing distance. Voluntarily avoiding climbing routes with historical and active nests during the nesting season helps protect raptors and reduces the need for mandatory restrictions.
For questions about raptors, please contact BLM Wildlife Biologist Thomas Plank. For questions about climbing and recreation in the Indian Creek area, please contact BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Jason Byrd. Both may be reached at the Monticello Field Office (435) 587-1500.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs.
-BLM-
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr @BLMUtah
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Updated April 2019.
MONTICELLO, Utah – The BLM appreciates the cooperation shown by the climbing community in avoiding potential raptor nesting areas in the Indian Creek Climbing area. The BLM is actively conducting raptor nesting surveys and additionally has also worked with agency partners and HawkWatch International to conduct additional surveys in the area. The first phase of surveys are complete. The BLM will continue to monitor the
area and provide further updates.
Climbers are being asked to continue avoiding walls commonly referenced in climbing guides and websites as “The Wall, Reservoir Wall, Cat Wall and 1st Meat Wall”, as monitoring is ongoing in these areas. Please see the attached map for the extent of the buffered avoidance areas. All other areas are anticipated to be free of active nests and can be climbed without risk of endangering young birds or successful fledging. There is still a slight chance that birds may be locating nests, as the cool spring weather has delayed and extended the nesting season. If you observe raptors mating or nesting, please avoid them, and report the locations to the BLM or Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.
The BLM will continue monitoring efforts throughout the season and will notify the public once young birds have fledged, which is expected before the fall climbing season begins. Trailhead notices and maps will be updated as well.
The desert canyons of southeastern Utah provide habitat for falcons, eagles, and other birds of prey. Visitors with keen eyes are sometimes rewarded with their aerial acrobatics. The BLM would like to remind everyone to respect wildlife and retain a safe viewing distance. These species in Utah continue to recover from low population levels, thanks in part to cooperation from the public, climbing communities and governmental
partners.
For questions about raptors and migratory bird habitat or recreational climbing in the Indian Creek area, please contact Thomas Plank or Jason Byrd at the BLM Monticello Field Office at 435-587-1500. A map depicting updated climbing avoidance areas is provided with this release and will be posted at trailheads. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The newest edition of the map from April 2019:
[[116785918]]
The prior map (lower resolution) of the affected areas:
[[116625948]]
Signs will also be posted at the main trailheads.
Please let me know if you have any questions- Thanks!
Jason Byrd
BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner
Monticello, UT 84535
435-587-1534
jbyrd@blm.gov "
MONTICELLO, Utah – Each spring raptors return to the Indian Creek area for nesting. Eagles, falcons, and other migratory birds use shallow depressions on ledges, cliffs and rock walls, and often return to the same site year after year to raise their young. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requests that climbers and hikers avoid nest areas during critical nesting periods, typically in early March through late July. Avoiding climbing and hiking in the vicinity of the nest sites in addition to respecting wildlife by maintaining a safe viewing distance will help ensure survival of young birds.
Beginning March 1, the public will be asked to avoid climbing or hiking in areas where birds are known to nest. The climbing areas that are historically known to have nesting activity are referred to in many climbing guidebooks as: The Wall, Far Side, The Meat Walls, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, and Reservoir Wall. This list serves only as a guide and does not indicate every avoidance area or encompass all known names of the affected climbing areas. Refer to Raptor Protection Map to best identify avoidance areas for the protection of the nesting sites. The BLM is coordinating these raptor protection efforts with the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), who is the administrator of the climbing areas known as Disappointment Cliffs and portions of the Second Meat Wall climbing area.
In March, BLM biologists will begin annual surveys of raptor activity to verify which historic nest sites are active. Typically, by late April or early May, biologists can identify which nest sites raptors have selected. At that time climbing and hiking areas without active nests will be cleared for recreational use. The BLM requests that climbers and hikers completely avoid areas with active nests until the young birds have fledged, usually by late summer. Biologists will monitor nesting activity throughout the season and keep the recreation community informed of potential changes. Avoidance area notices will be posted throughout the Indian Creek corridor during the recreation season.
While falcons and eagles are not overly common sights in southeastern Utah, they are present throughout the area and keen-eyed observers are sometimes rewarded with their aerial acrobatics. Visitors can watch adult birds hunt or observe the antics of young raptors perfecting their flying techniques. These species in Utah continue to recover from low population levels, thanks in part to cooperation from the public, climbing communities and governmental partners. The BLM would like to remind the public there are private land holdings throughout the Indian Creek corridor. Please respect private landowners’ boundaries and signage.
For questions about raptors and migratory bird habitat in the Monticello area, please contact Thomas Plank or Jason Byrd with the BLM Monticello Field Office at 435-587-1500. A map depicting climbing avoidance areas is provided with this release.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
Raptor Protection Map (under 'attachments'):
https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-avoidance-areas-protect-raptors-indian-creek
Move to Utah > Southeast
por favor
Raptor Closure: Begins March 1, 2021
The BLM asks the public to avoid climbing or hiking in areas with high potential or historically known to have bird nesting activity. The impacted areas are referred to in many climbing guidebooks as: The Wall, Far Side, The Meat Walls, Cliffs of Insanity, Public Service Wall, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, and Reservoir Wall.
Click Here for Full Press Release
Click Here for Raptor Protection Map
There are lots of cracks here on the Wingate sandstone. Lots of people now, too. Tread lightly.
Do not park on crust. Period. Even if the parking area / lot is full. Even if you really dont think it matters much - and everyone else did anyways. If we do not stop parking on crust we will lose our access to these climbing areas.
You can view weather data for the Creek at this link. Be sure to change your start and end dates!
https://climate.usu.edu/mchd/dashboard/dashboard.php?network=AGWX&station=1197507&startdate=2021-10-01&enddate=2021-10-31&units=english&showgraph=undefined
Mind your animals. This is a very public place with a lot of people. Not everyone wants their crotch nuzzled with a dogs muzzle.
Please Respect and Protect archaeological sites: Stay on trail, help prevent damage. Don’t move artifacts, let everyone enjoy the discovery. Stay out of ancient buildings and off walls, they are fragile! Report looting and vandalism: 1 800 722 3998
Raptor Closure: Begins March 1, 2022
The BLM asks the public to avoid climbing or hiking in areas with high potential or historically known to have bird nesting activity. The impacted areas are referred to in many climbing guidebooks as: The Wall, Far Side, The Meat Walls, Cliffs of Insanity, Public Service Wall, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, and Reservoir Wall.
Raptor Closure: Begins March 1, 2024
The BLM asks the public to avoid climbing or hiking in areas with high potential or historically known to have bird nesting activity. The impacted areas are referred to in many climbing guidebooks as: The Wall, Far Side, The Meat Walls, Cliffs of Insanity, Public Service Wall, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, and Reservoir Wall.
There are lots of cracks here on the Wingate sandstone. Lots of people now, too. Tread lightly.
Do not park on crust. Period. Even if the parking area / lot is full. Even if you really dont think it matters much - and everyone else did anyways. If we do not stop parking on crust we will lose our access to these climbing areas.
You can view weather data for the Creek at these two link. Be sure to change your start and end dates! These data are maintained by Utah State University and the Utah Geological Survey.
Canyonlands Research Center (across from the Reservoir Wall)
Dugout Ranch (across from the Cat Wall)
Mind your animals. This is a very public place with a lot of people. Not everyone wants their crotch nuzzled with a dogs muzzle.
Please Respect and Protect archaeological sites: Stay on trail, help prevent damage. Don’t move artifacts, let everyone enjoy the discovery. Stay out of ancient buildings and off walls, they are fragile! Report looting and vandalism: 1 800 722 3998
