Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Current Volcano Status

• Alert Level is NORMAL; Aviation color code is GREEN

The USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory, in Vancouver, Washington and the University of Washington Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted. 

Latest USGS Mount St. Helens Advisory

• Mount St. Helens Weekly Update

Additional Information

A telephone recording that covers the current status of

Mount St. Helens volcanic activity can be heard by calling:  

(360) 891-5180

For other Mount St. Helens information, contact the

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters: (360) 449-7800

Other Information

• Background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html
• Seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html
• Alert Level Definitions: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

Area Closures

Updated April 14, 2008

There are no special closures related to volcanic activity in affect at this time.

    Area 1 (Red) -- Entry into the crater is still strictly prohibited.

   Area 2 (Blue) -- Travel above 4800 foot elevation (treeline) on the volcano requires a Climbing Permit.  For details please see Permit System webpage.

   Area 3 (Yellow) -- Area is open only on developed trails.  No camping, pets, or stock are permitted.  Off-trail travel requires Administrative Closure Permit issued by Monument Headquarters.

There are no other special closures at this time.


Roads 

There are no road closures due to volcanic activity at this time.

Trails*

There are no trail closures due to volcanic activity at this time.

*Volcanic Hazards: We recommend that hikers in the Spirit Lake Basin on the north side of the volcano, who observe a large steam or ash emission or hear a rumbling noise upstream (sound of a mudflow or debris flow) be aware of potential hazards from debris flows and mudflows. If you are in a gully or stream draining the north side of the volcano and observe a large volcanic event please act decisively and move to high ground as soon as possible.

Camping Notices

• Campgrounds are beginning to open for the summer camping season. 
• Please visit the campground conditions page for more information.

  Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ash fall.

Fire Restrictions and Information

• August 29, 2008: Revised Closure Order Area affecet by the Cold Springs Fire. (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 326 kb)

• August 2008: Current Colds Springs Fire Information is available on Inciweb :
  www.inciweb.org/incident/1428/

• July 31, 2008: Revised Closure Order Area affected by the Cold Springs Fire (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 229 kb)

• July 17, 2008: Cold Springs Fire Special Area Closure and Map (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 427 kb)

• July 15, 2008: Cold Springs Fire near Mt. Adams: Fire information available on Inciweb

• July 14, 2008- Yakama Nation Cold Springs Fire Closure - Committee Action Number 191-2008-8 (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 66 kb)

• July 14, 2008 (Noon) Fire Udate: Cold Springs Fire near Mt.Adams estimated at 6,000 acres.

• July 14, 2008 (1000 hrs): - All Roads, Trails, Campgrounds east of Forest Road 23 north of Trout Lake, Wash., are closed due to wildland fire activity.  Access is temporarily to the Cold Springs/South Climb Trailhead on Mt. Adams until further notice.

• July 13, 2008: - Cold Springs Fire estimated at 500+ acres in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 

Forest Facilities

• Cascade Peaks: Currently closed for the season.  Anticipated opening later in July 2008.

Forest Roads

• July 23, 2008: Winter Road Damage Limits Access to Windy Ridge on the East Side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

• July 14, 2008 (1000 hrs): - All Roads, Trails, Campgrounds east of Forest Road 23 north of Trout Lake, Wash., are closed due to wildland fire activity.  Access is temporarily to the Cold Springs/South Climb Trailhead on Mt. Adams until further notice.

• July 11, 2008: – Starting Saturday, July 12, visitors to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest can drive through the national forest on Forest Road 25. This road provides key north/south access from Randle and Packwood to Swift Reservoir and other areas on the south end, and also on the east side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Drivers and motorcycle riders should use caution on Forest Road 25 as some road areas may have settled; and rocks and other debris may be on the road bed. Secondary roads off of Forest Road 25 may have snowdrifts, fallen trees, and rocks. On the north end of Forest Road 25, the Woods Creek bridge project will enable coho salmon to access additional habitat in Woods Creek. A temporary bridge bypass allows drivers to access Forest Road 25 with only minor delays at milepost 4, south of Randle, Washington. This bridge project will begin in late July.

• July 11, 2008: Some Forest Roads are still snow covered.

• Check the Forest Road report for the latest updates on roads.  Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ash fall.

Forest Trails

• July 14, 2008 (1000 hrs): - All Roads, Trails, Campgrounds east of Forest Road 23 north of Trout Lake, Wash., are closed due to wildland fire activity.  Access is temporarily to the Cold Springs/South Climb Trailhead on Mt. Adams until further notice.

• July 1, 2008: - Record low elevation snow fall will keep a number of Forest Trails impassable for several more weeks.  Please visit the trails current conditions page for more information. 

• Forest Storm Damage Information: The November 2006 flood damage and the subsequent windstorm on December 14-15, 2006 will affect Forest visitor's ability to access some popular sites in the Forest this year. As upcoming spring and summer weather brings visitors to the Forest, officials are emphasizing that road and trail damage and repairs will affect some travel routes.

Visitors should exercise additional caution this year when venturing out on roads and trails.

• July 1, 2008: Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ash fall.

• August 28, 2007:  Access is closed by washout of Forest Road 83 near the June Lake Trailhead.  The Lava Canyon trail #184 on the south side of Mount St. Helens remains closed for maintenance at the suspension bridge. From the Smith Creek Trail #225 it is not possible to make a loop using Lava Canyon Trail #184.

Forest Campgrounds

• July 14, 2008 (1000 hrs): - All Roads, Trails, Campgrounds east of Forest Road 23 north of Trout Lake, Wash., are closed due to wildland fire activity.  Access is temporarily to the Cold Springs/South Climb Trailhead on Mt. Adams until further notice.

• July 1, 2008: - No Special Conditions at this time. 
• Campgrounds are beginning to open for the summer camping season. 
• Please visit the campground conditions page for more information.

Forest Winter Sno-Parks

• June 20, 2008: Sno-Parks are currently closed for the season.

Hunting Information

• June 20, 2008: - No Special Conditions at this time. Forest Storm Damage Information November's flood damage and the subsequent windstorm on December 14-15, will affect Forest visitor's ability to access some popular sites in the Forest this year.