Gifford Pinchot National Forest

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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

Winter Home | Current Conditions | Snowmobiles | Winter Safety | Winter Symbols

Packwood WRA | Randle WRA | Mount St. Helens WRA | Mt. Adams WRA | Wind River WRA

For updates on 2009 storm damage click here.

Winter / Spring Advisory [Last Updated: May 5, 2009]: Most forest roads are not maintained for winter travel so it is important that you use extra caution, carry and use approved traction devices and come equipped with recommended safety equipment. Make sure to notify a friend or loved-one about where you are going and when you plan to return so they can confirm that you return safely or notify authorities if you fail to return. Please watch for landslides or flood damage and use caution on forest roads and trails. Snowfall and wind will form unstable cornices on the crater rim of Mount St. Helens (for details see climbing page and scroll down to cornice photo diagram).

Note:

" as in 3" = inches
' as in 2' = feet

Be Aware!
Check avalanche danger before going into the forest.

Winter 2008 photos.

Weather Reports

Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center - (206) 526-6677 or (503) 808-2400

SnoTel Sites (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District Packwood Winter Recreation Area Sno-Parks
Sno-Park	Report Date: Rating / Remarks
Johnson Creek	January 12, 2009: Sno-Park is closed due to slides on Forest Road 21. Snow Depth: Rating/Remarks: Road Information: Grooming:Please check the following web site for grooming updates.
Skate Creek	March17, 2009: Open. Skate Creek sno-park is being opened to non-groomed routes only. The 47 road bridge is closed to all use including snowmobiles. The 52 road will not be groomed. Riders may use a combination of the 52 road, 5240, and the 84 road for access through the area. Snow Depth: 18" Road Information: 4-5"" of snow. Grooming: Please check the following web site for grooming updates.

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District Randle Winter Recreation Area Sno-Parks
Sno-Park	Report Date: Rating / Remarks
Orr Creek	April 1 , 2009: Open Snow Depth: 34" Rating/Remarks: Road Information: PLOWING CONTRACT HAS EXPIRED. NO MORE PLOWING WILL OCCUR THIS SEASON. Road was last checked on March 30th. Lower part of the road had 2-3" of compact snow and ice. The 56 road had 8-10" of snow with one set of tire tracks. 4x4 high clearance vehicle recommended. Snow has continued to fall likely making it impossible to reach the sno-park. Grooming: GROOMING CONTRACT HAS EXPIRED. NO MORE GROOMING WILL OCCUR THIS SEASON. Please check the following web site for grooming updates.
Wakepish	January 16, 2009: CLOSED DUE TO LARGE SLIDE AT BENHAM CREEK Snow Depth: Rating/Remarks: Road Information: Closed at Benham Creek Grooming: Please check the following web site for grooming updates.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Mount St. Helens Winter Recreation Area Sno-Parks
Sno-Park	Report Date: Rating / Remarks
Cougar	April 13, 2009: Sno-Park is open. Snow Depth: 4'. New snow falling tonight to 1000'. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good conditions. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park permits are no longer required for the 2009 season. Road Information: 4-5" of fresh snow on Forest Road 83. Heavy accumulation is expected in the next two days. BE PREPARED for RUTTED SNOW and potentially SLICK CONDITIONS on Forest Road 83. Forest Road 8303 is open to the Trail of Two Forests. Forest Road 81 is gated between the Cougar Sno-Park and the Kalama Horse Camp. If you have questions regarding plowing please contact the Washington State Parks and Recreation, winter recreation office at 360-902-8664. Grooming: Please check the following web site for grooming updates. Attn Snowmobilers, Skiers & Snowshoers: Climbing permits are required for everyone above 4800 feet on Mount St. Helens (permit information). Non-motorized corridor along climbing route is closed to snowmobiles (corridor map). Area north of volcano closed to snowmobiles and to off-trail ski and snowshoe travel (area closure map).
Marble Mountain	April 13, 2009: Sno-Park is open. Snow Depth: 3'. New snow falling tonight to 1000'. Check the SnoTel web site for updates. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good conditions. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park permits are no longer required for the 2009 season. Road Information: 4-5" of fresh snow on Forest Road 83. Heavy accumulation is expected in the next two days. Forest Road 83 is melting out until you reach the sno-park. With warmer temperatures, more melting is expected. BE PREPARED for RUTTED SNOW and potentially SLICK CONDITIONS on Forest Road 83. Forest Road 8303 is open to the Trail of Two Forests. Forest Road 90 is open to the jct. with the Curly Creek Road. If you have questions regarding plowing please contact the Washington State Parks and Recreation, winter recreation office at 360-902-8664. Grooming: Please check the following web site for grooming updates. Attn Snowmobilers, Skiers & Snowshoers: Climbing permits are required for everyone above 4800 feet on Mount St. Helens (permit information). Non-motorized corridor along climbing route is closed to snowmobiles (corridor map). Area north of volcano closed to snowmobiles and to off-trail ski and snowshoe travel (area closure map).

Mt. Adams Ranger District Mt. Adams Winter Recreation Area Sno-Parks
Sno-Park	Report Date: Rating / Remarks
Atkisson	April 10 , 2009: Snow Depth: 24" Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. Grooming last done 3/26/2009. This was the last grooming of the season. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are not longer needed. Road Information: The Sno-Park and road have been plowed. Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Grooming: No more grooming for the 2008-09 season.
Flattop	April 10 , 2009: Snow Depth: 24" Check the SnoTel web site at Suprise Lakes for updates of conditions at higher elevations out of this Sno-Park. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are no longer needed for the season. Road Information: The road is open to Flattop Sno-Park. Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Grooming: No more grooming for 2008-2009 season.
Pineside	April 10, 2009: Snow Depth: 18". Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. Grooming done on 3/20/2009. This was the last grooming of the season. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are no longer needed for the 2008-09 season. Road Information: The road and snow-park have been plowed. Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Please see Cold Springs Fire Closure Order for map with closed areas. Grooming: This is the last grooming of the season.
SnowKing	April 10, 2009: Snow Depth: 27". Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. Grooming done 3/20/2009. This was the last grooming of the season. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are no longer needed for the 2008-09 season. Road Information: Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Please see Cold Springs Fire Closure Order for map with closed areas. Grooming: No grooming will be done after April 1, 2009.
Smith Butte	April 10, 2009: Snow Depth: 45" inches snow. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. No grooming is done at Smith Butte. Road Information: Not plowed past Sno-King during the season. Please see Cold Springs Fire Closure Order for map with closed areas. GROOMING: No grooming is done at this Sno Park. As of april 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are not longer needed for the 2009 season.

Mt. Adams Ranger District Wind River Winter Recreation Area Sno-Parks
Sno-Park	Report Date: Rating / Remarks
Government Mineral Springs	April 10 , 2009: Snow Depth: Up to 18" of snow, patchy. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. No grooming at this Sno Park. After April 1 no Snow Park permits are required at this site. Road Information: The Wind River Highway has been plowed. Carry chains. Road to Government Mineral Springs turn-around has been plowed. Do not park in turn-around. Be sure to park near the second sno park sign on the right hand side of the road. Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Grooming: No grooming at this site. A
Oldman Pass, Koshko, McClellan Meadows, Rush Creek	April 10, 2009: Snow Depth: 48" base, several inches fresh powder. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. We have received new snow in the past week. *Grooming was done 3/26/2009.* This was the last grooming of the season. Road Information: The Wind River Highway has been plowed to Oldman Pass. Sno-Parks are plowed. Do not park along side of road as it hampers plowing efforts. Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Grooming: This is the last grooming of the season. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are no longer needed for the 2009 season.
Lone Butte	April 10 , 2009: Snow Depth: 55" base. 1-3 inches fresh snow. Check the SnoTel web site for updates. Rating/Remarks: Fair to Good. Several inches of fresh snow. Grooming done 3/26/2009. This was the last grooming of the season. Road Information: Wind River Highway has been plowed. Road is narrow in spots but open over Curly Creek to Forest Road 90. Do not park along side of road as it hampers plowing efforts. Please check with WashDOT or Oregon DOT regarding the status of SR 14 and I-84 before attempting to travel to the Sno-Parks. Grooming: This is the last grooming of the season. As of April 1, 2009, Sno-Park Permits are no longer needed for the 2009 season.

US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Monday, 13 April 2009 at 17:42:19 EDT