Needles rock formation temporarily closes for repair work

PORTERVILLE, Calif. — In case you were looking for a spot to rock climb, the Needles rock formation in Porterville will be temporarily closed, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

In a news release sent out Monday, the organization said the the closure was due to the removal of a charred staircase from the Needles Lookout which burned to the ground on July 28, 2011.

"The charred staircase leading to the lookout is still there and simply leads to open space, posing a significant hazard," the release explained. "Barricades, put in place to protect the public, have been repeatedly vandalized. One of our Forest partners, HistoriCorps, will be removing the remains of the staircase this week."

Park officials have not announced when the rock formation will reopen.