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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