Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
For Immediate Release: November 30, 2005
Contact: Tom Knappenberger (360) 891-5005  or Roger Peterson (360) 891-5007

Winter Conditions Close Forest Roads

VANCOUVER, WA ––With additional snow forecast for the Cascades this week, many Forest roads will become increasingly hazardous or impassable, particularly at higher elevations.

Sno-Parks throughout the Forest are now operating. Roads leading to the Sno-Parks are maintained during the winter. Please check the Forest website for current conditions at the Sno-Parks.

Forest Service Road 99, to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint on the east side of Mount St. Helens, is closed for the winter at the Wakepish Sno-Park. Access to the Sno-Park will be maintained throughout the winter from Randle. Access to the National Volcanic Monument remains closed at the Windy Ridge Viewpoint due to ongoing volcanic activity. The popular Marble Mountain and Cougar Sno-Parks on the south side of Mount St. Helens are open this winter. The Sno-Parks were closed last winter during the early phase of the current eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Expect snow and ice beginning at milepost 31 on State Route 504 on the west side of Mount St. Helens. The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center (elevation 3,110 feet) is open Thursday - Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed for the winter. Travelers on State Route 504 should watch out for ice in shaded areas and on bridges. State Route 504 will be closed east of Coldwater Lake as snow makes the road impassible.

Forest Road 25, on the east side of Mount St. Helens, is closed at its junction with Forest Road 93. More than two feet of snow has fallen at Elk Pass (elevation 4,080 feet).

Forest Road 23, between Randle and Trout Lake is receiving snow. The road is open to the junction with Forest Road 21, but there is more than two feet of snow at Baby Shoe Pass (4,400 feet), and the road is closed to Trout Lake for the winter.

Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek Road), from Packwood to Highway 706, is closed and gated for the winter.

Many roads on the Gifford Pinchot that had been open prior to December 1 are now closed for the winter months. Wildlife winter range closures and winter sports closures will be taking effect and restricting vehicular access to many popular spots on the Forest. These closures are in effect to protect wildlife during the winter period and to provide for winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. All closed areas, except for areas around Mount St. Helens, are open to the public with access by foot. Wheeled vehicles are restricted from the all-winter sports areas, but mountain bikes can be ridden on the closed wildlife winter range roads. Snowmobiles are not allowed in wildlife winter range areas. Winter wildlife and winter sports closures will be in effect until April 1, 2006.

Most Forest roads are now potentially hazardous to travel. Please make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for winter travel; carry emergency equipment and chains. Your safety depends on good planning and good judgment. For updates on weather and road conditions, contact Forest Service offices and for state wide road information visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/

* * *

US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Friday, 02 December 2005 at 17:01:53 EST