Royal Columns rock climbing area reopened
CLIMBING -- The Royal Columns climbing area on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County has been reopened since being closed in late April after a basalt column collapsed, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
Geologists contracted to examine the area reported that the rockfall was a matter of "normal mass wasting processes." With the caveat that "climbing is an inherently hazardous sport," the contractors said exposure to rock fall is common.
"We have safety-scaled the failure area, removing approximately 3- cubic yards of loose material," said Dale Moore, project geologist for McMillen Jacobs Associates of Seattle. "It appears the safety scaling has mitigated the hazard at this location. It is our professional opinion that Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife may consider the Royal Columns open to rock climbing."
Greg Mackey, WDFW Oak Creek Wildlife Area manager, said the month-long closure of the popular climbing area went into effect April 28 to protect public safety and to assess long-term use of the site.
The cliffs known as the Royal Columns climbing area are accessed by a trail directly across the Tieton River from the Oak Creek Wildlife Area headquarters off Highway 12 northwest of Yakima.
On April 28, a large basalt column detached from the Royal Columns cliffs and plummeted to the valley floor. No one was injured.