
	Gifford Pinchot National Forest
	Recreational Activities 2004

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Mount St. Helens Special Conditions - October 18, 2004 - 1100 Hours (11:00 am) PDT

We are in close contact with USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory, in Vancouver, Washington and the University of Washington Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network.

Latest USGS Volcano Advisories

Mount St. Helens Volcano Activity

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. Small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could suddenly descend the Toutle River valley if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow or glacier ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), but could pose a hazard to people along the river channel upstream of the SRS. At this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky. Although considered less likely at this time, the current eruptive activity could evolve into a more explosive phase that affects areas farther from the volcano and sends significant ash thousands of feet above the crater where it could be a hazard to aircraft and to downwind communities.

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift to the east and then to the north and northeast later this afternoon.

Seismicity has not changed significantly and remains at a low level overall. Continuing storm noise explains some of the higher background signal observed. We have no new Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements to report. Poor weather yesterday prevented geological observations.

The current level and character of seismicity are consistent with a continuing rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding the surface extrusion of lava. Low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor. When weather conditions improve, we will continue geologic observations, thermal imaging, and making improvements in telemetry systems.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Hunting Information

For information contact the Washington DNR at 360-577-2025 or Weyerhaeuser at 1-866-636-6531.

Visitor Centers Information

Open

Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake
Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center

Closed

Johnston Ridge Observatory
Lava Canyon Recreation Area
Windy Ridge Viewpoint

Climbing Mount St Helens

September 26, 2004 - The Monument Manager has closed Mount St. Helens to all climbing. The crater rim and flanks of the volcano above the 4800-foot level have been closed due to an increased potential for steam explosions from the lava dome that could propel rocks and ash above the crater rim. Existing climbing permits have been cancelled and Jack's Restaurant and Store has stopped issuing new permits.

Camping Notices

The entire Mt. Margaret backcountry is closed to all day and night use.

Closure Information

Updated October 15, 2004 at 1:00 pm PDT

The Forest Service, USGS and law enforcement agencies have refined area and road closures to reflect current and predicted volcanic activity, hazard zones and to balance public safety with recreational access. Mount St. Helens continues to remain in a state of intense unrest and will continue to go through episodic changes in the level of unrest over a period of days, weeks or even months.

The attached map identifies the closure area, any roads or trails that are closed outside the main closure area. There is no public access into any portion of the closure area or on any of the listed roads and trails. Closure information will be posted at gated closures and at trailheads leading into the closure area. This information applies only to National Forest and National Volcanic Monument lands.

You may click on the map at right to download the closure order (Adobe PDF - 711 kb).

Portions of the following roads and trails are included:

Roads

9900, 8100, 8123, 8100-830, 8300, 8322, 2588; Road 8100 east of Kalama Horse Camp is open to non-motorized access approximately 1.5 miles to the closure area boundary. Road 9900 is closed beyond Cascade Peaks to all access.

Trails

Within the Closure Area:

#207 Truman Trail
#216 Loowit Trail
#216 A Ptarmigan Trail
#216 B June Lake Trail
#216 E Windy Ridge Trail
#216 F Loowit Falls Trail
#216 G Castle Ridge Trail
#221 Castle Lake Trail
#225 Smith Creek Trail
#234 Ape Canyon Trail
#236 Sasquatch Trail
#236 Sasquatch Middle Leg
#236 Sasquatch Connector
#237 Blue Lake Horse Trail
#238 Toutle Trail
#238 A Butte Camp Trail
#240 Sheep Canyon Trail
#241 Lahar Viewpoint
#241 A Moss Springs
#244 Swift Creek Ski Trail
#244 A Rock Pit Trail
#244B Fir Trail
#244C Silver Trail
#244D Pika Trail
#245 Pine Martin Trail
#184 Lava Canyon
#184 A Bridge Loop
#184 B Ship Loop
#216 C Pine Creek
#243 West Fork Snowmobile
#231 Kalama Ski Trail
#231 A Baby Bear Loop
#231 B Mama Bear Loop
#231 C Papa Bear
#241 B Stratigraphy
#240 A Blast line
#242 Fossil
#237 Goat Marsh

Outside the Closure Area:

#1 Boundary Trail
#1E Harry’s Ridge Trail
#211 Lakes Trail
#211A Boot Trail
#211B Panhandle Trail
#211C Shovel Lake Trail
#211 D Elk Bench Trail
#214 Whittier Ridge Trail
#224 Harmony Trail
#227 Independence Pass Trail
#229 Hummocks Trail
#230 Coldwater Peak Trail
#230A South Coldwater Trail
#246 Birth of a Lake Trail
#204 Cinnamon

All areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest outside the closure are still open to public access unless posted otherwise. The Forest reminds visitors that camping is allowed in approved areas only.

Potential Ashfall

Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ashfall. Stay tuned to local media for up to date reports on the status of the volcano. In the event of ashfall remain calm, try not to breathe ash, cover your nose and mouth with a cloth or napkin, enter a building or vehicle if possible and remain inside until the ash fall passes. If you are in a vehicle roll up your window, and do not start the vehicle as ash could damage your engine.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Information

Fire Restrictions

September 24, 2004 - No Special Conditions at this time.

Forest Roads

September 03, 2004 - Starting Wednesday, September 8, Forest Road 42 northwest of Carson, Wash., on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, will close for repairs at milepost 2.5 just east of Cougar Rock for the next four weeks. For more information.

Forest Trails

August 31, 2004- Lewis River Trail, #31 is closed for the season. The foot bridge is being replaced .5 miles south of the Lewis River Campground at Cussed Hollow Creek. The trail is otherwise negotiable.

August 30, 2004- North Loowit Trail reopened after minor debris flow. Typically debris flows occur after heavy rains and/or during the spring melt. Cairns have been rebuilt to help identify trail location across the effected area. Hikers should be aware of seasonal washouts and use caution when hiking through drainages.

August 26, 2004- Lake Christine Trail #249; Forest Road 5920 is impassable approximately 1/2 mile below the trailhead.

August 23, 2004- The north end of the Langille Trail # 259 is not accessible off of Forest Road 2809 due to a washed out bridge. Users can access the trail from the south by using the Boundary Trail#1 or by using the Rough Trail #283. There is no plan at the present time to replace the bridge.

August 23, 2004- Carlton Creek Trail #22 may not be reached due to a washed out bridge on Forest Road 44. The trail can be accessed by using Kincaid Trail # 42 or by using the Carlton Connector Trail.

Forest Campgrounds

September 24, 2004 -No Special Conditions at this time.

Forest Winter Sno-Parks

September 24, 2004 - No Special Conditions at this time.