POCATELLO – The Gate City and one of its landowners came to an agreement that will protect the future of a well-known recreation area.

After a years-long effort, the city of Pocatello and landowners Gary and Jennie Ratliff completed a targeted land swap at a March 6 City Council meeting, according to a news release published on Monday. This swap moved a critical access point for the Sunny Side rock climbing area to public ownership.

“This is an important step in ensuring that outdoor recreation and public access to climbing routes are protected for generations to come,” says Senior Planner Matthew Lewis in the city’s press release.

The Sunny Side rock-climbing area, generally understood as the basalt cliff face to the east of South Second Avenue, has been used for rock climbing for many

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