River of Deceit

Update: as of 6/7/23 per Mike McHugh, ECSP: all closures have been lifted within Eldorado Canyon State Park, including Continental Crag.

Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.

Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.

These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.

Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.

See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.

Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:

Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…

For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…

Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!

2/8/24: from M. McHugh: eagles are nesting in the Rattlesnake Gulch area. Continental Crag, all routes thereupon, and all approach routes thereto: closed. At this time, all other crags (esp. Shirt Tail) and routes (esp. The Edge) in Eldorado Canyon State Park are open. For climbing areas outside of the park (esp. Mickey Mouse et al), climbers should consult the appropriate agencies.

bouldercolorado.gov/service…
bouldercounty.gov/open-spac…

Previously: per Mike McHugh, ECSP Park Resource Technician, March 2023: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin and the Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately.

This includes the Continental Crag climbing area.

These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing and hiking, through July 15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the south side of the canyon.

Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine up to $5,000 and one year imprisonment.

See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.


Previously in 2020: Raptor Closure (effective immediately)

Eldorado Canyon State Park has closed the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail above the Crags Hotel Ruin and Continental Divide Overlook in order to protect golden eagles nesting on the south side of the canyon. The closure also includes the Continental Crag climbing area.

All activities, including rock climbing and hiking, are prohibited in these areas through July 15, 2020 or until further notice. This closure was authorized by Park Ranger D. Bergman.

Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine up to $5,000 and one year imprisonment.

from cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…

As of March 13, 2018:

Per Mike McHugh: until July 15th, Continental Crag is closed for eagles.

Prior info:

A pair of nesting golden eagles have been spotted by Christian Nunes, wildlife biology tech, OSMP. Thus, the Continental Crag and the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch trail have been closed.

These are thought to be different birds than those who were nesting previously in the Diamond Head/SOBO Buttress area/ridge.

Please respect these closures.