Prescott National Forest

Area Closures Coming Soon to Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte

Contacts:

• Noel Fletcher, (928) 443-8020
• Debbie Maneely, (928) 443-8130

PRESCOTT, AZ, January 22, 2009 - Folks have two more weekends of climbing opportunities before the Prescott National Forest officials will implement restrictions on climbing and other activities on the cliff faces of both Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte on Monday, February 2, 2009.

For Granite Mountain, the closure will be the same as it has been for the past fourteen years. It is prohibited to be upon any part of the Granite Mountain rock cliff face or the rim above the rock face and extending 100 feet back from the edge of the cliff face by rock climbing or any other means of access. Trail 261 will remain open. Maps of the closed areas will be posted throughout the Granite Basin Recreation Area.

On Thumb Butte, both the north and south climbing faces, the top of Thumb Butte, and the areas at the base of the climbing faces will be closed to entry. Trail 33 will remain open for hiking. For the past seven years, this closure has provided the protection peregrines need to produce young birds from their nest on Thumb Butte. Maps of the closed area will be posted around the Thumb Butte area.

The closures will begin February 2nd and last until July 15th to provide peregrines the quiet environment needed for successfully nesting and raising young birds.

If you have any questions about the peregrines and their management on Bradshaw District, please feel free to call Noel Fletcher on the Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8020 or Larry Bright at the Prescott National Forest (928) 567-1170.

END

USDA Forest Service - Prescott National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 22 January 2009 at 15:47:41 EST