Washington State Parks

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News Release 12-056

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director

Meeting about the temporary climbing closure of Deception Crag Wall set for June 12

OLYMPIA – May 31, 2012 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the U.S. Forest Service invite the public to a meeting about the recent temporary climbing closure of Deception Crag Wall in North Bend.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 12, at the U.S. Forest Service in North Bend, 902 S.E. North Bend Way. State Parks, WDFW and Forest Service staff 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. For more information about the meeting, contact the Forest Service at (425) 888-8775.

The popular rock wall on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains 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 June when the nestlings fledge or leave the nest. State Parks and the Forest Service are working closely with WDFW 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. For more information about the U.S. Forest Service, visit www.fs.usda.gov.

Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks.

The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Support state parks by purchasing your Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

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