Traps closed Wed May 7th

For a controlled burn. Other areas are still open.

According to whom? What is your source? It is not on the Mohonk Preserve, Gunks Climber Coalition, or Gunks.com web sites.

Gunks Climber's coalition sent out an email today

Brian wrote:According to whom? What is your source? It is not on the Mohonk Preserve, Gunks Climber Coalition, or Gunks.com web sites.

Mohonk Preserve wrote:As part of the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership Fire Management Program, a controlled burn is being conducted on Preserve lands between Undercliff and Overcliff Carriage Roads on Wednesday, May 7th. For public safety, the entire Trapps Cliff and Undercliff and Overcliff Carriage Roads will be closed to visitors. All other Preserve lands, as well as all parking areas, will be open. For more information on fire management in the Shawangunks, visit www.gunksfireplan.org .

It is confirmed - Undercliff and Overcliff carriage roads will be closed, and no climbing on the cliffs at the Trapps on 5/7. The Nears, Lost City, Bonticou(and Dickie Barre/Peterskill0 are not affected and will be open.

Just a side thought. They won't allow climbing cause of the falcons but they will burn the Forrest? How does that work out?

I hope the heat from the fire won't damage the anchors.

Just spreading some knowledge because I've done plenty of ecology work on the subject --we're all excited to finally see this happen! The community we so dearly love is called the Dwarf Pitch Pine Ridge. Pitch pines are what is called a serotinous specie of tree. Meaning, their seeds are only viable after a fire! Sadly, since the advent of Smokie the bear (only you can prevent forest fires blahblah) there has been a distinct effort to prevent forest fires (a common event that is healthful to most forests). In doing so, the risk for MASSIVE fires seen elsewhere in the country has skyrocketed. These huge fires are detrimental to both plant and animal species native to an area.

As an endangered community, it's important to perform these prescribed burns in order to aid in the spread of our dear pitch pines. Just a note, the pitch pine itself is not endangered, but the Dwarf Pitch Pine Ridge community is (there are only 7 in the world!).

TL;DR: These prescribed burns allow for the spread and regrowth of pitch pines