Current Conditions
Mount Margaret
Backcountry
Content
Last Updated: August 15, 2008
[Last
Updated: August 29, 2008]
Cold Springs Fire near Mt.
Adams: Fire information
available on Inciweb
[Last Updated:
August 29, 2008]
Some
roads on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest remain closed due to road
damage. Please check our Current
Conditions Reports or call the local Forest Service office for updates.
Spring
/ Summer Advisory: Some
potentially unstable cornices (snow overhangs) remain on the crater rim
of Mount St. Helens (please see Climbing
page and scroll down to cornice photo for details). Flood
and wind damage from Fall 2006 storms still affects access to some
popular sites. Please use caution when venturing out on roads and
trails.
Mount St. Helens
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Volcanic Activity
The more than three-years-long,
lava-dome eruption of Mount St. Helens that began in autumn 2004 and paused
in late January of this year appears to have ended. Therefore, we are
lowering the Volcano-Alert Level from Advisory to NORMAL and the Aviation
Color Code from Yellow to GREEN, to indicate that monitoring parameters
have returned to background conditions. Since late January, five months
have passed with no signs of renewed eruptive activity and earthquakes,
volcanic gas emissions, and ground deformation have remained at pre-eruptive
background levels. The rate of lava-dome growth had gradually declined
throughout the eruption, which accounted for at least 93 million cubic
meters (125 million cubic yards) of new lava.
Even with the end of lava dome growth, some hazards persist. The new lava
dome remains hot in places-capable of producing small hot avalanches or
minor explosions that could dust areas with ash up to tens of miles downwind.
Rock fall from the crater walls can produce clouds of dust that rise above
the crater rim, especially during dry, windy days, as has happened in
the past. Also, heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt can send small debris
flows onto the Pumice Plain north of the crater. Please review Active
Volcano Hazards and other Climbing Safety information (links at right).
Detailed
information and FAQs about the ongoing eruption are available by
visiting the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory website.
For the latest information on
volcanic activity, please see:
USGS
- Mount St. Helens Weekly Update
Although the eruption is generally
quiet and does not pose a hazard to visitors in Mount Margaret Backcountry
(MMBC), intermittent emissions of steam and ash are likely. Depending
on winds, ash emissions may drift over you and may settle on the Mount
Margaret Backcountry. Volcanic ash is not toxic, but may trouble people
with breathing difficulties.
If you encounter ashfall:
* Remain calm.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a bandana or dust mask.
* Wait until ash settles before resuming travel.
Road and Trail Access Information
The Mount Margaret Backcountry is open.
Trails in the Mount Margaret Backcountry are rugged, and infrequently
maintained. In addition to some late snow, expect trees across the trails,
uneven footing and small washouts. Large snow fields still exist in the
Mount Margret Back country. Margret, Panhandle and Obscurity camps are
still snow covered.
Whittier Trail #214 is closed due to a washout at its northern end. Travel
at your own risk.
State Route 504 is open to Johnston Ridge Observatory. Forest Road 25
is open. Forest Road 99 is closed at Bear Meadows. There
is no road access to the Norway Pass Trail Head.
Permit Information
A Mount Margaret Backcountry
Permit is required for camping in the Mount Margaret Backcountry. In addition
each group visiting the backcountry must possess a valid Northwest Forest
Pass, available at sporting goods stores and Forest Service offices throughout
the Northwest. These permits are required year round.
Permits can be obtained from Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Headquarters and the Johnston Ridge Observatory in person or by mail.
Some camps fill quickly, so, if possible, obtain permits well in advance
of your trip.
Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds. There are eight different
campgrounds located in MMBC.
Maximum group size is four.
Pack stock and pets are not allowed in the Mount Margaret Backcountry.
Campfires are prohibited, plan to use a camp stove for cooking.
For additional information contact:
Mount St. Helens Monument Headquarters at 360-449-7800 or visit our web
site at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm
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