Gifford Pinchot National Forest

December 29 , 2008 - General Information Update

Welcome to the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District.

Please check the web site for current conditions or call before heading out.

Unlicensed OHV's are prohibited in ALL areas and ALL roads unless they are designated open.

No motorized vehicles are allowed to be driven around or through any road barrriers creeks or streams.

Jody's Bridge closed to all uses NO EXCEPTIONS.

The only access to the Backbone ridge area is by crossing

the river on foot, horse or by boat.

December 20, 2008 - General Information Update

A closure order is still in place  for all trails and roads, east and south of the 80, starting at Wicky Shelter going north, and the 8040 and 8040-500 roads. The Round-the-Mountain Trail #9 remains closed east of South Climb Trail #183. The closure has been changed to allow access along the Aiken Lava Bed.

Yakama Nation closures , which limit access to Bird Creek, Mirror Lake and Bench, are still in place.

Mt. Adams Climbing information:

Call for current conditions: Mt. Adams Ranger District: 509-3950-3402.

Beginning December 1, 2008 many roads are closed for winter recreation and others are closed due to snow. The roads to the snow parks are kept open for winter recreation access.   All campgrounds are closed due to winter snow.

December 29 , 2008 - General Information Update

Visitor Information – Please call the Monument Headquarters at 360-449-7800 for the most up-to-date information on these sites and road or visit the Forest Special Conditions page.

Johnson Ridge Observatory: 

Closed for the Winter (Reopens in mid-May)

The Johnston Ridge Observatory shows a 16 minute movie describing the eruption on May 18, 1980. Park Rangers conduct hourly talks on the pavilion describing the 1980 blast or current eruption. The Johnson Ridge Observatory has a small bookstore. Please call or visit the visitor center for additional information on other activities provided by the center employees, at 360-274-2140.

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, is closed due to snow. 

Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center:

Site is closed permanently.

Climbing: Forest Service 83 is closed at the junction with Forest Road 90. See the climbing report for more information.

Lava Canyon and Forest Roads 81 & 83: Closed due to snow! 

Ape Cave – Ape Cave is open year round. However, the Apes Headquarter's is closed between Labor Day and late June.  The Apes’ Headquarters at Ape Cave, is currently closed. The cave can be dripping wet, do be prepared with raingear during rainy days.  Forest Road 83/90 is closed!

Pine Creek Information Station - Closed.