Wildlife Closures

The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department is temporarily closing the following areas in order to protect nesting and roosting raptors from Feb. 1 through July 31:

• Lefthand Canyon Palisades (Buckingham picnic area remains open), at the intersection of Lefthand Canyon Drive and Olde Stage Road;
• Mount Sanitas, First Buttress (no closures to the bouldering areas along the ridge), accessible from the Mount Sanitas Trailhead, .5 miles west of Fourth Street and Mapleton Avenue;
• Third Flatiron, including the East and West Ironing Boards, Queen Anne's Head and Jaws, and WC Pinnacle and all descent routes, accessible from Chautauqua Trailhead, 900 Baseline Road;
• Skunk Canyon, including Ridge 2, 3 and 4, the Aechean Pronouncement, the Deadnaught, the North Ridge and the entirety of Sacred Cliffs, accessible from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
• Bear Creek Spire, accessible from the NCAR Trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
• Fern Canyon (designated Fern Canyon hiking trail will remain open), including the Goose, the Goose Eggs, the East Ridge and Nebel Horn, accessible from the NCAR Trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
• Shadow Canyon and the Matron(designated Shadow Canyon hiking trail will remain open), 1.7 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive. The Maiden remains open and accessible from the east; and
• The entire Mickey Mouse wall (accessible from OSMP Lindsey property).

These areas are nesting and roosting spots for golden eagles, peregrine falcons and prairie falcons and are monitored by committed OSMP volunteers and staff.  Trespass violations can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.  The City of Boulder has been monitoring raptor nesting and roosting areas since 1984 and it has become an important part of protecting the species in the area.  OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated. 

For information on OSMP, visit http://www.osmp.org/ or call (303) 441-3440. 

 Raptor Closure Map

Last Updated on Friday, 04 May 2007 03:48