For Immediate Release June 7, 2002	Contact: Linda Turner 360-891-5195

Windy Ridge Road Opens June 15

VANCOUVER, WA – Forest Road 99 leading to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint on the east side of Mount St. Helens will be open to the public on Saturday, June 15. Forest Road 25, connecting Randle to the Lewis River Highway (Forest Road 90, east of Cougar), will also be open to the public on that date.

“Forest, State and contractor road crews have worked hard to get these access roads to the east side of the volcano open to the public by the middle of June even though the snow pack on the Forest this past winter has been about 175% above normal,” said Ron Freeman, Forest Recreation and Engineering Staff Officer.

Mount St. Helens climbers should be able to drive to the Climbers Bivouac on Forest Roads 81 and 830 by June 15. Plowing of this road begins June 10 with completion expected by June 15. For mountain climbing permit information and current climbing conditions, visit the Forest website or call 360-449-7861.

Cliff Ligons, Monument Manager, invites the whole family to spend Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, on the Monument since it is a free-fee day for the Northwest Forest Pass. “Take this opportunity to drive up the Windy Ridge Road to show dad the unique features on the east side of the mountain.”

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
07 June 2002