Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest
For Immediate Release: August 22, 2008
Contact: Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005 or Roger Peterson (360) 891-5005

Forest Officials Expect Busy Labor Day Weekend

VANCOUVER, WA – A busy Labor Day weekend is expected on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with campers, anglers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Forest to enjoy the summer's last holiday.

FIRE: There are no campfire restrictions in effect on the Forest; however, conditions remain dry across the Pacific Northwest region and fire restrictions are in effect in other national forests and local areas. Please check with local land managers before you go out. If you have a campfire when visiting the Forest make sure it is not left unattended and is dead out and cold to the touch before leaving your camp site.

HUCKLEBERRY PICKING: Above 4,000 feet, the purple berries are in their prime. Picking should be good through mid-September in what is an average berry crop this year.

CAMPING: Many of the concessionaire operated campgrounds on the Forest accept reservations. All unreserved campsites remain available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some popular campgrounds, including Lower Falls Campground on the Lewis River, La Wis Wis Campground near Packwood, and Takhlakh Lake near Mt. Adams, are expected to be full on Labor Day weekend. Others are expected to fill or be near capacity as the weekend approaches. Fees for camping range from $5 to $36 per night. Many Forest campgrounds will close by mid to late September. For information on camping outside of designated campgrounds please visit the Forest website.

ROADS: Access to Windy Ridge via Forest Road 99 remains limited; visitors are only be able to access Windy Ridge on foot or by bicycle, as the road will remain closed to motor vehicles until further notice. Work has begun on reconstruction of Forest Roads 23 and 83, damaged by flooding in November of 2006, these roads should be reopened in early Fall. On the north end of Forest Road 25, the Woods Creek bridge project, which will enable Coho salmon to access additional habitat in Woods Creek, will be completed in early-September. A temporary bridge bypass allows drivers to access Forest Road 25 with only minor delays at milepost 4, south of Randle, Washington. Use caution when driving on Forest roads and observe posted speeds. For more information on road conditions, visit the roads status page, or contact a local Forest office.

TRAILS: Many trails on the Forest are open. However, Forest visitors should check ahead before attempting to access some popular sites in the Forest. A list of current trail conditions is available on the Forest website. Remember that a Northwest Forest Pass is required at some trailheads, picnic areas, and interpretive sites.

HOURS:

• Johnston Ridge Observatory is open daily from 10 a.m. -- 6 p.m., including Labor Day.
• Apes Headquarters (lantern rentals) at Ape Cave is open from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Monday, September 1, then closed for the season.
• The Cowlitz Valley Ranger Office in Randle is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) (closed Labor Day.)
• The Mt. Adams Ranger Office in Trout Lake is open every day including Labor Day from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.for lunch).
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters in Amboy is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Labor Day.)
• Forest Headquarters in Vancouver is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Labor Day.)

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US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Friday, 22 August 2008 at 13:49:35 EDT