Gifford Pinchot National Forest

GPNF Home

About Us

Current Conditions

	Campgrounds
	Forest Recreation Report
	Mt. Margaret Backcountry
	Mount St. Helens Climbing Rpt
	Mount St. Helens Rec Rpt
	Mt. Adams Climbing Rpt
	Roads
	Sno*Parks
	Special Conditions
	Trails
	Weather

	Contracting
	Evaluate Our Service
	GIS Data
	Related Sites

Gifford Pinchot
National Forest

Forest Headquarters
10600 N.E. 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA 98682
(360) 891-5000
TTY: (360) 891-5003

Cowlitz Valley
Ranger District
10024 US Hwy 12
PO Box 670
Randle, WA 98377
(360) 497-1100
TTY: (360) 497-1101

Mt. Adams
Ranger District
2455 Hwy 141
Trout Lake, WA 98650
(509) 395-3400
TTY: (360) 891-5003

Mount St. Helens
National Volcanic
Monument

Monument Headquarters
42218 N.E. Yale Bridge Rd.
Amboy, WA 98601
(360) 449-7800
TTY: (360) 891-5003

Johnston Ridge Observatory
24000 Spirit Lake Highway
P.O. Box 326
Toutle, WA 98649
(360) 274-2140

Mount St. Helens
Visitor Center
at Silver Lake
3029 Spirit Lake Highway
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(Operated by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission)

TTY: Phone for the Deaf

Current Conditions

Roads

Content Last Updated: January 15, 2009

[Last Updated: January 14, 2009]

For updates on 2009 storm damage click here.

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.

Fall / Winter Advisory: Most forest roads are not maintained for winter travel so it is important to use extra caution, carry and use approved traction devices and carry recommended safety equipment. Tell a friend or loved-one about where you are going so they can confirm your safe return or notify authorities should you need assistance.

Mount St. Helens

Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed for the season.
Attention Climbers: Winter access to south side climbing routes may be limited by road damage, snow or malfunctioning plow equipment. Check the current snopark conditions page for updated information on access to Cougar Snopark and Marble Mtn Snopark.

General Roads Information

Update: December 18, 2008: All Forest roads are impassible or not advised for travel, with the exception of those plowed to winter sports sites.

Always contact your local Forest District Office for the very latest Road conditions. Road conditions are subject to change without notice and the information presented here may not immediately reflect these changing conditions.

When on single lane Roads use extreme caution. Use turnouts, and make sure you can stop in half your sight distance. High clearance vehicles are required on many Roads. Most Roads are not patrolled, so be careful so you do not become stuck.
Helpful tips about Traveling on Forest Roads Adobe .pdf file (256 KB)
Weather Information
There are remote snow guage stations in the Forest. To see the amounts go to the Washington Snotell sites at;
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Washington/washington.html

Road	Road Name	Date & Status since conditions last changed
1270	To Jody's Bridge	Bridge Closed to all uses. NO EXCEPTIONS. No motorized access or use to the Backbone Ridge area.
1284	White Road	07/11/2008: no report of road conditions.
18	Oklahoma Paved - Two lanes	07/09/2008: Open
20	Smith Creek	07/17/2008: Road is rough high clearance vehicles only.
21	Johnson Creek Gravel - One Lane	01/13/2009: Closed by slide at milepost 4.2. To see a photo of the slide click here.
2130	Deception Creek	2008: Road is impassable, ok to be in the area.
2150	Snow grass Flats	12/18/2008: Closed by snow.
2160	To Walupt Lake Gravel - One Lane	12/18/2008: Closed by snow.
22	North Fork Paved / Gravel - One Lane	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
23 23	Cispus section Paved / Gravel - 1&2 Lanes North of Trout Lake	1/14/2009: Open to snowline. 12/13/2008: Closed by snow. Call the Mt. Adams R.D. for information. 509-395-3400.
2304	Pompey Peak Trailhead	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline. Washout at 5.6 mile marker, unsafe to drive through.
2324	Sunrise trail head	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
2325	Table Mountain	04/28/2008: Bridge has been removed, no motorized use on road system. Accessible by foot or horse.
2329	High Lakes Paved / Gravel - One Lane	012/18/2008: Closed by snow.
2329.022	Chain of Lakes	12/18/2008: Closed by snow.
24	Peterson Prairie Gravel - One Lane	12/13/2008: Closed for winter recreation.
25	Randle	1/07/2009 - 10 a.m.: Closed south of the jct. with Forest Road 76. Snow and downed trees are covering the road. Gated on the south end at the jct. with Forest Road 93.
26	Quartz Creek Paved/Gravel - One Lane	12/16/2008: Closed for the winter due to snow.
28	Pinto Gravel - One Lane	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
29	McCoy Creek Gravel - One Lane	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
2904	Lambert Saddle	12/18/2008: Closed by snow.
30	Wind River Hwy Paved / Gravel - Two Lanes	12/20/2008: Open from Carson to Curly Creek Road and Lone Butte Sno-Park. Closed at Lone Butte. Call Mt. Adams R.D. for conditions. 509-395-3400.
41	Lookout Mountain Gravel - One Lane	12/20/2008: Closed by snow.
42	East Fork (Cougar Rock) Gravel - One Lane	12/20/2008: Closed by snow. Significant damage has occurred at some water crossings in the first 5 miles. Motorists should not use this route from Cougar Rock to Forest Road 54, particularly in low clearance vehicles or any 2 wheel drive vehicle. Motorists may damage their vehicles and/or get high centered and unable to drive themselves out. Repair work may begin next week, or alternatively a detour route will be posted. Alternative route from Hemlock to Sunset CG is Road 43 to road 41, 41 to 4220, 4220 to 42, 42 to Sunset campground.
43	Trout Creek Gravel - One Lane	12/19/2008: Closed by snow.
45	Cortright Creek	12/20/2008: Closed at snowline.
4510	Soda Springs	12/20/2008: Closed at snowline.
46	Lava Creek	12/20/2008: Open high clearance vehicles.
4610	Purcell Creek	08/06/2008: Open high clearance vehicles.
4612	Bluff	08/06/2008: Open high clearance vehicles.
47	Willame Creek Paved / Gravel - One Lane	08/06/2008: Access from the Randle side is restricted due to impassable slide. OK to be in the area. A comprehensive structural analysis of the Skate Creek bridge was performed in 2008 and the results of the study indicate that the bridge is not safe for any use. The bridge is now closed to all public use.
4710	Skyo Road	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
4730	Willame Lake	08/06/2008: snow free no report of road conditions.
48	Hager Lake Road Gravel One Lane	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
51	Curly Creek Road Paved - Two Lanes	12/20/2008: Open, road has been plowed, and will continue to be plowed as needed. May be closed for short periods due to heavy snow fall. Call 509-395-3400 for information.
52	Skate Creek Paved - Two Lanes	12/18/2008: Road is closed for the winter.
5270	Butter Creek	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline, washout on road two miles from Tatoosh Trailhead North.
54	Bare Mountain Paved /Gravel - 1&2 Lanes	1/07/2009 - 2 p.m.: Closed by a debris slide at mile post 31, approx. 5 miles east of Chelatchie Prairie, to see photos of the slide click here. Closed at the snow line.
56	Midway Gravel - One Lane	10/16/2008: Closed at sno-park. Check sno-park page for current condtions.
5603	Spring Creek Gravel - One lane	12/18/2008: Closed for winter to all moterized use except snowmobiles.
57	Siouxon Paved - Partially	12/16/2008: Closed.
5701	Trailhead Access	12/16/2008:Closed.
59	Copper Creek	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
60	Carson-Guler Road Gravel - One Lane	12/12/2008: Closed for winter recreation.
63	Davis Creek/Purcell Mtn	08/11/2008: Road closed to motorized use by washout at Silverbrook Road.
64	Dry Creek Paved / Gravel - One Lane	12/20/2008: Closed by snow.
65	Panther Creek Paved / Gravel - One Lane	12/20/2008: Closed by snow.
6507	Outlaw	12/20/2008: Closed by snow.
66	Willard Road Paved /Gravel - 1&2 Lanes	12/20/2008: Closed by snow.
68	Cedar Creek Gravel - One Lane	12/13/2008: Gated and closed.
6808	Bear Creek Gravel - One Lane	12/13/2008: Gated and closed.
74	Nisqually Loop Paved / Gravel - One Lane	08/06/2008: Open 4x4 high clearance recommended due to numerous small slides.
76	Green Horn Paved / Gravel - One Lane	1/13/2009: Road is closed by a slide approximately 2 miles east of Forest Road 25. To see a photo of the slide click here .
77	Polepatch	12/18/2008: Closed at snowline.
78	Timonium Gravel - One Lane	07/07/2008: Open.
80	Mt. Adams Recreation Paved - One Lane	12/20/2008: Closed by snow. . Call Mt. Adams R.D. for information.
8040	South Climb Gravel - One Lane	12/12/2008: Closed by snow.
81	Merrill Lake Paved / Gravel - Two Lanes	12/19/2008: Closed and gated for the winter season on the west at Kalama Horse Camp and on the East at Cougar Sno-Park, jct. with Forest Road 83. West of Climbers Bivouac, road has sustained considerable flood damage. Sno-Park permits are now required.
8123	Sheep Canyon Gravel - One Lane	MAJOR flood damage. Likely will be permanently closed.
8100830	Climbers Bivouac Gravel - One Lane	12/15/2008: Closed for the winter. Gated at Cougar Sno-Park on FR 81. For more information about climbing Mount St. Helens, see the climbing page.
82	Bird Creek Meadows Gravel - One Lane	12/23/2008: Open to Snow King Sno-Park. Call Mt. Adams R.D., 509-395-3400 for current conditions. Closed past Snow King
83	Lahar/Lava Canyon Paved - Two Lanes	01/02/2009: Road closed at the junction of Forest Road 90, until further notice.
8303	Ape Cave Rd. Paved-One Lane	12/30/2008: Road closed. A Sno-Park permit will be required at the Trail of Two Forests when road has been plowed. A NW Forest Pass will no longer be required at that time.
84	Berry Creek
8440	Toehead Gap	08/17/2008: Slide area cleared one lane to Highrock.
85	Catt Creek Paved / Gravel - One Lane	08/07/2008: Open high clearance vehicles only.
86	Guler Mountain Road Gravel - One Lane	12/13/2008: Closed by snow.
88	Big Tire Paved - One/Two Lanes	12/23/2008: Open to Flattop Sno-Park. Closed at the Sno-Park for winter recreation. Call Mt. Adams R.D., 509-395-3400, for current conditions.
8851	Mosquito Lake Paved / Gravel - One Lane	12/12/2008: Closed for winter recreation.
90	Lewis River Hwy Paved - Two Lanes	01/09/2009 - 10 a.m.: Open, slide has been cleared near the power canal bridge. Road is open to the jct. with the Curley Creek Road. Washington State DOT crews are assessing SR 503 east of Cougar, Wash., for possible failure. SR 503 is open at this time.
93	Spencer Butte Paved / Gravel - One Lane	12/16/2008: Closed.
99	Windy Ridge Paved - Two Lanes	12/16/2008: Gated west of Wakepish Sno-Park.
SR 504	Spirit Lake Memorial Paved - Two Lanes	01/15/2009: On the west side of Mount St. Helens, State Route 504 is open from I-5 east to the Elk Rock view point at mile post 37. Click here for the last conditions on State Route 504.
Road	Road Name	Date & Status since conditions last changed

US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Thursday, 15 January 2009 at 19:14:29 EST