NESTING HAWKS CLOSE CLIMBING AREA IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

A pair of nesting red-tailed hawks has temporarily closed some climbing routes in Joshua Tree National Park. Park Superintendent David Smith announced that all public entry and activities in the area described as Morongo Man Cliffs—about one-half mile northwest of the Split Rock parking lot—are prohibited during the hawks’ nesting season. This area includes the climbing routes Morongo Man, Morongo Child, and From the Mouths of Dogs. The closure will remain in effect until the birds have fledged and the nest has been abandoned.