Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest
For Immediate Release: June 10, 2008
Contact: Peter Frenzen (360) 449-7835

Low Elevation Snow-melt and Volunteers Key to Reopening Southside Facilities

Forest Road 83 to Marble Mountain Snopark and Forest Road 8303 to Ape Cave Reopen Today

AMBOY, WA – On Tuesday, June 10th, forest officials announced reopening of Forest Road 83 to Marble Mountain Sno-Park and Road 8303 to Ape Cave. “The combination of warming temperatures that melted our record snow pack and the continuing efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers have enabled us to reopen these important facilities,” said Tom Mulder, Monument Manager. “Improved access to the climbing route and Ape Cave is important both to our visitors and our local communities,” Mulder added.

Forest Road 83 is currently open to two lane traffic to within ½ mile of Marble Mountain Snopark where the road narrows to one lane with turnouts. Repair of winter road damage on Road 83 has not been completed. Visitors are urged to drive slowly, watch for slumps and slide debris and to use extra caution. As of Tuesday morning, there was 3 inches of new wet snow at the snowpark.

The reopening of Marble Mountain Sno-Park will restore access to the popular south side climbing route and should allow most climbers to complete their climb in one day. Marble Mountain Sno-Park is the normal access point used by climbers during the winter season. Marble Mtn Sno-Park is located one mile farther and 1000 feet elevation lower than Climber’s Bivouac, the normal summer trailhead for the climbing route. Forest officials indicate that there are still many feet of snow on the road to Climber’s Bivouac and, if cool cloudy weather continues, it could be July before enough snow melts for the road to Climber’s Bivouac to be reopened.

Volunteers are needed to Help Reopen Popular Trails along the Lewis River:

Saturday, June 21 – Summer Solstice Lewis River Trail Work Party
Help Clear Downed Trees & Repair Trails in Old-Growth Forests SE of the Volcano.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. in front of the closed information station at Pine Creek Work Center (18 miles east of the town of Cougar on Forest Road 90). Wear sturdy boots and bring a sack lunch, water, work gloves and come dressed for “rain or shine” weather. At 3:30 p.m., following the work party, there will be a volunteer-appreciation potluck and barbecue (please bring a side dish or dessert to share).

“A complete list of volunteer opportunities, detailed information, and scheduled weekend work parties is available on the monument website at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volunteering/BecomeaVolcanoVolunteer.shtml.

Information about the Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI), upcoming events and field classes is available online at www.mshinstitute.org or by contacting Hailey Heath, MSHI’s Volunteer Program Coordinator by Email at info@mshinstitute.org.; phone (360) 449-7887.
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US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Wednesday, 11 June 2008 at 14:29:49 EDT