USDA Forest Service
 

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

 

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



Current Conditions

Special Conditions & Recreation Information


Mount St. Helens Conditions | Gifford Pinchot National Forest Information | Mount St. Helens Visitor Centers
Climbing Mount St. Helens | Mount St. Helens Camping | Mount St. Helens Area Closures | Ash fall
 

Mount St. Helens Special Conditions Volcanic Activity

Current Volcano Status

The USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory, in Vancouver, Washington and the University of Washington Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted. 

Latest USGS Mount St. Helens Advisory

Additional Information

A telephone recording that covers the current status of

Mount St. Helens volcanic activity can be heard by calling:  

(360) 891-5180

     

For other Mount St. Helens information, contact the

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters: (360) 449-7800

Other Information

Monument Visitor Centers and Recreational Facilities 

December 3, 2009:

Winter Travel Safety Information.

  • Coldwater is closed permanently.

 

Pine Creek Information Station -- Open on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.  Beginning May 28th open 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will close on Labor Day (closing date is subject to change.)  The information station is a partnership between the Forest, Mount St. Helens Institute, Skamania County, Discover Your Northwest, Cougar Area Trail Seekers and the Swift Community Action Team. Volunteers are still needed to staff Pine Creek, if you are interested please contact Hailey Heath with the MSHI at 360-449-7887.

Cascade Peaks: Closed for the winter. The Cascade Peaks viewpoint will offer visitors interpretive exhibits and materials, snacks and drinks, recreation passes and will provide visitor information. The facility at Cascade Peaks will be open Thursday thru Monday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. starting July 9 through Labor Day.

May 25, 2010:  Lava Canyon Trail #184: Open.

 

Windy Ridge Viewpoint -- Forest Road 99 leading to Windy Ridge is closed for the winter.

 

Visitors Should be Prepared for Wind-Blown Ash or a Potential Ash Fall 

[Last Updated: January 20, 2010]

In rare instances, forest visitors near the volcano may encounter a potential volcanic ash plume or ashfall. Volcanic ash (fragmented rock dust) can be mobilized by crater rockfall, high winds, or, in rare instances, by small steam explosions in the crater.  In the event of a volcanic ashfall, stay tuned to local media for up to date reports on the status of the volcano.

Volcanic ash (fragmented rock dust) is non-toxic but, if breathed-in, can cause physical damage to your lungs and airways.  In the event of ashfall, remain calm, try not to breathe ash, cover your nose and mouth with a cloth or napkin.  If possible, seek shelter in a building or vehicle and remain inside until the ashfall passes. If you are in a vehicle roll up your window, and do not start the vehicle as volcanic ash could damage your engine.  Typical ash clouds dissipate within 20 to 30 minutes.  Once the ash clears, drive slowly and carefully because volcanic ash can be kicked-up like road dust and can limit visibility.  When wet, use extra caution as ashfall deposits on roadways can be slippery.

Climbing Mount St Helens

  • Mount St. Helens climbing permit reservations for 2010 climbing season began February 1 at 12:01 am.
  • Mount St. Helens climbing permits are sold on the Internet on a first-come, first-served basis by the Mount St. Helens Institute , a non-profit partner of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
  • Forest Service officials have announced the relocation of the Mount St. Helens Climber’s Register to the Lone Fir Resort. The Lone Fir Resort is located in the town of Cougar, Washington five miles east of the former register location. 

Area Closures

Updated January 20, 2010

There are no special closures related to volcanic activity in affect at this time.

 

Mount St. Helens Closure Area Map

  Area 1 -- Crater is closed to all entry except for scientists with a permit.  Area includes crater floor, inside walls to the rim, and NE and NW flanks of the volcano.

  Area 2 -- All travel above 4800 foot elevation (tree line) on the volcano requires a Climbing Permit.  For details please see Permit System web page.

  Area 3 -- Area is open only on developed trails.  Snowmobiles, camping, pets, and stock are not permitted.  Off-trail travel requires Administrative Closure Permit issued by Monument Headquarters.

Goat Marsh Research Natural Area (SW of mtn) -- Goat Marsh RNA is closed to motorized use, camping and stock use.

Closure Area Map (8.5" x 11" size, 250 KB, .pdf)

   


Designated Non-Motorized Corridor on Winter Climbing Route

The area around the Monitor Ridge and Worm Flows Climbing Routes is closed to snowmobile use to provide for the safety of climbers and other non-motorized winter recreationists.

Non-motorized corridor is defined by the western flanks of Monitor Ridge, the south crater rim, the eastern flanks of the Worm Flows and the 4800 foot elevation line except where timberline is above 4800 feet.  Where timberline is above 4800 feet, snowmobiles may cross the non-motorized corridor immediately above timberline.

Non-Motorized Closure Area Map

(8.5" x 11" size, 202 KB, .jpg)

 

There are no other special closures at this time.


Roads 

     

There are no road closures due to volcanic activity at this time.

Trails*

There are no trail closures due to volcanic activity at this time.


*Volcanic Hazards: We recommend that hikers in the Spirit Lake Basin on the north side of the volcano, who observe a large steam or ash emission or hear a rumbling noise upstream (sound of a mudflow or debris flow) be aware of potential hazards from debris flows and mudflows. If you are in a gully or stream draining the north side of the volcano and observe a large volcanic event please act decisively and move to high ground as soon as possible.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Information

Many infrastructure enhancement projects are now underway on the Gifford Pinchot. Remember to be weary of road equipment while traveling Forest roads. Also be aware of trail and other crews as they do their work in the back-country. Some bridges are being replaced, so allow more time to reroute if necessary.

US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Tuesday, 17 August 2010 at 11:20:59 EDT


USDA logo which links to the department's national site. Forest Service logo which links to the agency's national site.