USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest
For Immediate Release: May 19, 2008
Contact: Robin Rose (360) 891-5177 or Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005

Visitors Encouraged to Plan Ahead When Visiting the Forest for Memorial Day Weekend, Snow still Limits Access

 

VANCOUVER, WA – With the beginning of the traditional summer recreation season, a number of campgrounds, roads, and trails on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be open for Memorial Day Weekend. However, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is still feeling the effects of a long winter. Record low elevation snowpack this past winter and spring will limit access some popular sites in the Forest for several weeks. Heavy snow pack remains at high elevations and will delay the opening of a number of recreation facilities until late June or early July.

more info on campground and road closures currently: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/news/2008/20080519a-memorial-day.shtml

and here: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/current-conditions/

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News Release USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region

Willamette National Forest
 

Memorial Day Weekend – Due to Persistent Snowpack, Only Some Campgrounds will be open

Date: May 16, 2008
Contact: Judith McHugh 541.225.6305

Eugene -- The Willamette National Forest is kicking off the summer season this Memorial Day weekend by expanding customer service hours at several locations. This year however, many campgrounds, day use sites, and trails are still covered by snow and are not open.

more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/newsandevents/news/2008newsarchives/080516memorialday.html

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Mt. Hood National Forest 16400 Champion Way Sandy, OR 97055 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 15, 2008

H-11-08

Media Contact:Rick Acosta at 503-668-1791 or Jeree Mills at 503-668-1664

Late Spring Snow Pack Leads Campers to Lower Elevations

Sandy, OR – The Mt Hood National Forest still has lots of snow in higher elevations and will not be able to open several campgrounds for the Memorial Day Weekend. People might consider a change for their Memorial Day adventure due to the unusual amount of snow. Campgrounds in lower elevations such as the many along the Clackamas River east of Estacada will be open with services. People that plan to camp for the holiday should call the nearest Ranger Station or Headquarters office or check our website for a complete list of open campgrounds. Campers who have reserved a campground site that will remain closed until the snow melts will be contacted to exchange their reservation for another campground or date. If a change is not possible they can get a full refund. “I encourage people to try a new campground if the one they usually go to is still snowed in,” says Malcolm Hamilton, Recreation Program Manager. Current recreation information for the Mt Hood National Forest is available at the following: Headquarters: 503-668-1700 Barlow Ranger District: 541-467-2291 Clackamas River Ranger District: 503-630-6861 Hood River Ranger District: 541-352-6002 Zigzag Ranger District: 503-622-3191 more info : http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recreation/campgrounds/index.shtml

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Latest conditions from Timberline reports 6 inches of new snow the last 24 hours and 14 inches the last 72 hours. I think a wildflower just died under all that...

For those venturing further afield, just to clarify: Cayuse Pass at Mt. Rainier will open tomorrow. You therefore will be able to get to the Ohanapecosh and White River areas from US 12. However, Chinook Pass will not open until at least June 5. However, if you're going to the Yakima area, the US 97 bridge at Biggs will be open.

Not only did a few flowers freeze their little buds off, but a few hiker hopes generated by last week's melting just died, too!

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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.--E.Abbey

Just looking at Jane's links, I see Riley and McNeil campgrounds are open May 23

That means the gate at the bridge over the Sandy River must be unlocked so you can cut off a few miles if you want to attempt Burnt Lake, Ramona Falls,...