Gifford Pinchot National Forest

We invite you to take time in this Centennial year to connect with this special place called the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Exploring our Past - Discovering our Future

Forest News

2006 Storm Damage

Other Forest News

• Construction Completed - Forest Road 23 to Reopen. Forest Road 23, a key rout through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest from Trout Lake to Randle, Washington - damaged in the November 2006 flood -  will reopen for public use on Thursday, September 18.

• Volunteers Are Needed for National Public Lands Day to Repair Trails and Facilities at Mount St. Helens. Join the Mount St, Helens Institute and community volunteers on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to help ready trails and facilities on the south side of Mount St. Helens for the busy Fall/Winter season. (September 08, 2008)
  
• Forest Hosts Tenth Annual Pick Up the Pinchot, Public Lands Day Events.  Join us this fall for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest's tenth Annual Pick Up the Pinchot (P.U.P.) clean-up events. (September 04, 2008)

• Cold Springs Fire Update.  Final acreage has remained at 7,729 acres with 100% containment on August 1, 2008. Each agency affected by the Cold Springs Fire is now managing their portion of the fire. A closure order for the Cold Springs fire has been revised to allow access to additional recreation areas on the south side of Mt Adams. (August 29, 2008)

• Winter Road Damage Limits Access to Windy Ridge on the East Side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.  Forest Road 99, which provides access to the Windy Ridge viewpoint, has opened to the Bear Meadows interpretive site. Forest road crews recently encountered several areas affected by heavy snow pack and winter storm damage on this high elevation road. A major failure of Forest Road 99, which accesses the east side of the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument (MSHNVM), will prevent visitors, for the remainder of the summer, from accessing the popular Windy Ridge viewpoint over looking Spirit Lake as well as the northeast side of the volcano. Visitors will only be able to access Windy Ridge on foot or by bicycle, as the road will remain closed to motor vehicles until further notice. (July 23, 2008)

• Colds Springs Fire near Mt. Adams: Fire information available on Inciweb

Getting Involved in Your National Forest

• Recreation Facilities Analysis - Many of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest’s developed recreation sites were built 30-50 years ago and are in need of significant investment in basic maintenance or improvements. The Recreation Facility Analysis process involves several steps: gathering inventory and financial data; identifying the forest recreation niche; evaluating each developed recreation site against established national criteria (including conformance with the forest niche, financial efficiency, and environmental and community sustainability); and ranking the recreation sites according to those criteria. Using this analysis tool, the Forest is drafting a proposed program of work for the next five years.

• White Pass Expansion - The White Pass Expansion Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement are now available. (22 June 2007) News Release 27 June 2007 - Environmental Document and Record of Decision Released for Review

• Payments to Counties (RAC): The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393) provides an alternative to the former 25% formula which gives counties funds based on Forest Service receipts from logging, grazing, recreation, and other activities on national public lands.

• Regional Invasive Plant Environmental Impact Statement: The purpose of our project is to enhance the ability of Forests in the Pacific Northwest Region to protect native ecosystems from invasive, non-native plants. This action will build on the Region’s existing program by developing Forest Plan standards that allow for more effective prevention and timely management of invasive plants. 

• National Forest Foundation - The National Forest Foundation brings people together to protect our National Forests and Grasslands. As the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, engaging America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the National Forest System. Helping the U.S. Forest Service fulfill its mission to "care for the land and serve people," the foundation works in close collaboration with local people and communities.

Keep informed of exciting happenings and opportunities on your National Forests by signing up for the National Forest Foundation tree-mail™ monthly e-newsletter.