State Parks and Recreation, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service are holding a public to a meeting to review what led to the recent temporary climbing closure of Deception Crag Wall in North Bend.
Staffers from all three agencies will be on hand to provide information about specific areas affected by the closure and the process that led to the decision to close climbing activities at Deception Crag Wall.
The popular rock wall on the western slopes of the Cascades was closed in April to climbing activities after the discovery of a peregrine falcon nest. According to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest wildlife biologist Sonny Paz, the wall is expected to reopen at the end of this month when the nestlings fledge or leave the nest. State Parks and the Forest Service are working closely with state Fish and Wildlife to protect the falcon’s nest through breeding season.
Peregrine falcons are designated as a sensitive species, which requires the Forest Service to monitor the bird and protect its breeding habitat. The birds may be seen flying around the nest at nearby Olallie State Park.
Deception Crag Wall is a U.S. Forest Service property accessed through Iron Horse Trail State Park and near Olallie State Park. The area is co-managed by State Parks and the Forest Service.
There are 10 named routes on the wall, ranging in grade from 5.7 to 5.12b. Among the popular routes are Side Dish, a 5.10c climb; Just Desert, a 5.10a climb; and Underground Economy, a 5.9 climb, according to thecrag.com.
Get involved
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, at the U.S. Forest Service office, 902 S.E. North Bend Way, North Bend. For more information about the meeting, contact the Forest Service at 425-888-8775.
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