Gifford Pinchot Forest Roads 25, 81, and 83 Gated for Winter Season (Washington)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005 cell (360) 901-2131
Vancouver, WA – Increasing snow at higher elevations is causing the closure of some Forest roads for the winter. Winter recreationists should keep in mind that roads to Sno-Parks will not be plowed until December 1 or later.
Forest Road 25 is now gated at the south end due to increasing snow levels at higher elevations. The north end of Forest Road 25 is gated at Benham Creek, five miles north of Forest Road 99, due to an ongoing landslide. Forest Road 81 is closed beyond Cougar Sno-Park, and Forest Road 83 is closed beyond Marble Mountain Sno-Park.
Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek Road), from Packwood to Highway 706, is still open, however, wintry conditions should be expected. Gates at both ends of the road will be closed when snow accumulates.
On the west side of Mount St. Helens, State Route 504 remains open east of the Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center as far Coldwater Lake recreation site. The Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed for the winter. Travelers on State Route 504 should watch out for ice in shaded areas and on bridges as well as for wildlife. The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to maintain State Route 504 for winter travel to Coldwater Lake and the Hummocks Trail as weather conditions and available equipment permit. Winter visitors need to be aware that road conditions can change quickly due to blowing snow. For the latest information on State Route 504 and other Washington State Highways visit WSDOT’s web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Southwest/. Motorists can receive updates by calling 511.
As winter snows arrive many roads on the Gifford Pinchot will be closed for the winter months. As winter closures take effect, vehicular access will be restricted to many popular spots on the Forest. These closures are to protect wildlife during the winter period and to provide for winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. All closed areas, are open to the public with access by foot. Wheeled vehicles are restricted from all-winter sports travel routes. Snowmobiles are not allowed in wildlife winter range areas. Once implemented winter wildlife and winter sports closures will be in effect until April 1, 2010.
Please make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for winter travel. Remember to carry emergency equipment and chains. Your safety depends on good planning and good judgment. For updates on weather and road conditions, contact Forest Service offices and for statewide road information visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/.
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/news/2009/documents/final-20091025a-Roads-closures.pdf
Categories: Access Tags: benham creek, coldwater lake, gifford pinchot, gifford pinchot national forest, hoffstadt bluffs, hummocks trail, johnston ridge observatory, marble mountain, mount st helens, packwood, skate creek, skiing, sno-park, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, washington, wildlife, winter
Landslide Closes Forest Road 25/Wakepish Sno-Park Closed for Season (Washington)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009
CONTACT: Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005
Vancouver, WA – An ongoing landslide has closed Forest Road 25 at Benham Creek 5 miles north of the Forest Road 99 junction to Windy Ridge. A large landslide closed the road last winter, and a temporary bridge was installed in June to provide access on this major north and south Forest access route. Recent heavy rains are dislodging additional material at the Benham Creek site causing Forest officials to call for a complete closure to protect public safety.
Wakepish Sno-Park which is located at the junction of Forest Road 25 and Forest Road 99 will be closed for the season due to the bridge closure. Three other Sno-Parks (Johnson Creek, Skate Creek, and Orr Creek) on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District should be accessible this winter. Visitors should contact the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District at (360) 497-1100, or visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf for additional information.
As snow levels drop below 3,000 feet in elevation, Forest visitors are cautioned to check ahead on road conditions with local Forest Service offices or the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf. All Forest visitors should prepare for winter weather driving conditions. Snow plowing on Gifford Pinchot National Forest roads occurs only to Sno-parks through the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission as funding allows. The majority of Forest roads are not plowed for snow, and Forest visitors are cautioned to plan their visit to the Forest based on increasing snow levels and the possibility of getting stranded if they drive Forest roads at higher elevation. Currently, about 2 feet of snow blankets elevations above 4,000 feet.
The Forest has started work with Federal Highways on design and replacement of the bridge over Benham Creek. Completion of the permanent bridge is scheduled for 2011.
For current Forest road information, please contact Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices. The Forest Headquarters in Vancouver can be reached at 360-891-5000; Cowlitz Valley Ranger District in Randle can be reached at 360-497-1100; Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters in Amboy can be reached at 360-449-7800, and; Mount Adams Ranger District in Trout Lake can be reached at 509-395-3400.
For more information on current road conditions, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/currentconditions/roads.shtml or call any of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices.
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/news/2009/documents/final-20091120a-ForestRoad25-Wakepish.pdf
Categories: Access Tags: benham creek, cowlitz, gifford pinchot, gifford pinchot national forest, johnson creek, national forest, orr creek, skate creek, wakepish sno-park, washington, windy ridge
Forest Hosts Tenth Annual Pick Up the Pinchot, Public Lands Day Events
VANCOUVER, WA – Join us this fall for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest’s tenth Annual Pick Up the Pinchot (P.U.P.) clean-up events.
There are three P.U.P. events scheduled for Saturday, September 27. These events are part of National Public Lands Day events scheduled across the country in late September.
“On National Public Lands Day, we all have a chance to contribute to the well being of our public lands for this and future generations of Americans,” said Al Matecko, Acting Forest Supervisor. “Last year, more than 150 people participated in PUP events, and worked on projects to remove trash and help restore the East Fork of the Lewis River. We hope that people will continue to join us and volunteers around southwest Washington this year.” Read more…
Categories: Press Releases Tags: ashford, copper creek, Events, gifford pinchot, lewis county, lewis river, marble mountain, mt adams, mt rainier, mt st helens, national forest, packwood, peterson prairie, skate creek, sno-park, st helens, trout lake, washington
High Rock Loop Backroads Tour – 06.24.07
Since I worked the night before and my wife's nephew was coming over for dinner, I had to keep the day's adventure somewhat local from my home. Flipping through the book Washington Byways, I found Tour 49 - High Rock Lookout Loop and it fit perfectly into the day's time restraints. I loaded up the dog in the Land Cruiser and headed towards the Cascades in hopes of finding some sun above the low hanging clouds.
Categories: Adventures Tags: 4wd, 4x4, adventure, Adventures, ashford, backcountry, backroads, cascade mountains, cascades, catt creek, cherokee, dnr, elbe, fj80, forest, forest road, forest service, four wheel drive, greenwood lake, high rock, hiking, jeep, kernahan road, land cruiser, landcruiser, lookout, mt rainier, national forest, national park, overland, packwood, park, randle, road, sawtooth, skate creek, snow, snowmobile, teeley creek, tour, towhead gap, toyota, trail, trailhead, trip, washington, wildlife, wrangler
High Rock Loop Photos
Last Sunday (June 24, 2007), I ventured into the High Rock area near Mt. Rainier. The weather was overcast and rain most of the day meaning in no great views of Mt. Rainier. These are the photos I shot on this adventure. Most are taken from the inside of my Toyota Land Cruiser.
The complete story of this adventure will be coming soon.
Categories: Photos Tags: 4wd, 4x4, adventure, Adventures, ashford, backcountry, backroads, cascade mountains, cascades, catt creek, cherokee, dnr, elbe, fj80, forest, forest road, forest service, four wheel drive, greenwood lake, high rock, hiking, jeep, kernahan road, land cruiser, landcruiser, lookout, mt rainier, national forest, national park, overland, packwood, park, randle, road, sawtooth, skate creek, snow, snowmobile, teeley creek, tour, towhead gap, toyota, trail, trailhead, trip, washington, wildlife, wrangler
