Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Expects Busy Holiday Weekend
VANCOUVER, WA ––A busy Labor Day weekend
is expected on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with campers, anglers,
and hikers visiting the Forest for the summer's last holiday weekend.
FIRE: There are no campfire restrictions in effect on the Forest; however,
fire restrictions are in effect in other national forests and local areas.
Please check with local
land managers before you go out. If you have a campfire when visiting
the Forest make sure it is not left unattended and is dead out and cold
to the touch before leaving your camp site.
CAMPGROUNDS: Many campgrounds on the Forest require reservations
through a private concessionaire. All unreserved campsites remain available
on a first-come, first-served basis. Some popular campgrounds, including
Lower Falls Campground on the Lewis River, La Wis Wis Campground near
Packwood, and Takhlakh Lake near Mt. Adams, are expected to be near capacity
Labor Day weekend. Others are expected to fill as the weekend approaches.
Fees for camping range from $5 to $32 per night.
HUCKLEBERRY PICKING: Above 4,000 feet, the purple berries are at their
prime. Picking should be good through mid-September in what is an average
berry crop this year.
TRAILS: Most trails on the Forest are open. A list of current trail
conditions is available on the Forest website. Remember that a Northwest
Forest Pass is required at some trailheads, picnic areas, and interpretive
sites.
ROADS: Use caution when driving on Forest roads and observe posted speeds.
For more information on road conditions, visit the roads
status web page on the Forest web site.
Forest visitors near Mount St. Helens need to be prepared for a potential
ash fall.
HOURS:
- Johnston Ridge Observatory and Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center - Open
daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Silver Lake Visitor Center - Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. through Monday,
and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. beginning September 6.
- Pine Creek Information station - Open through Monday then closed for
the season.
- Ape Cave - Open through Monday then closed for the season.
- The Cowlitz Valley Ranger Office in Randle will be open Friday and
Saturday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and closed Monday.
- The Mount Adams Ranger Office in Trout Lake will be open all weekend
from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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