Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
For Immediate Release: October 27, 2005
Contact: Maggie Dowd (360) 449-7843

Mount St. Helens Sno-Parks to Reopen for Winter

VANCOUVER, WA ––The popular Marble Mountain and Cougar Sno-Parks on the south side of Mount St. Helens will reopen this winter. The Sno-Parks were closed last winter during the early phase of the current eruption of Mount St. Helens.

The two Sno-Parks are located on Forest Road 83 east of Cougar, Washington. All cross-country ski trails on the south side of Mount St. Helens will be open. Snowmobiling is permitted on all designated routes, in the Lahar area, and as far north as Windy Pass on the Plains of Abraham. Areas closed to winter recreation will be marked by snow poles.

“Safety precautions are in place, including evacuation plans, should volcanic activity warrant,” said Monument Manager Cliff Ligons. “Monument staff continues to work closely with the U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Emergency Management Division, North Country Emergency Medical Services, as well as the Cowlitz and Skamania sheriff’s departments, and the Washington State Patrol.”

Monument staff are asking winter recreationists to be prepared before they visit the mountain. A map showing areas around Mount St. Helens that are open for winter recreation is available from the Forest website. Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for potential ash fall and what that can mean for people and equipment.

The mountain remains closed above the Loowit Trail – approximately tree line - keeping the popular south-side climbing route closed. Forest Road 8100-830 and the Climber’s Bivouac also remain closed. Portions of the Truman and Loowit trails on the volcano’s north side are still closed because of potential mudflows. Off-trail areas north and west of the volcano will remain closed, as usual, to protect developing plant and animal life and scientific research.

Approximately two-thirds of the Sno-Parks' use comes from snowmobilers with cross-country skiers and snow-shoers making up the rest.

For more information on the Forest's winter recreation and volunteer opportunities at Mount St. Helens, visit: www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/winter/

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US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Thursday, 27 October 2005 at 18:56:40 EDT