Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Copyright: USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest

The Gifford Pinchot has a number of areas of special interest. The Dark Divide Roadless Area is an area of rock outcroppings and alpine vegetation where you can enjoy panoramic views of snowcapped mountains in four directions. The area can be explored via Boundary Trail #1.

Mount St. Helens is an active volcano in southwest Washington and is the central feature of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Numerous viewpoints and miles of trails have been created for you to explore by car and foot. During the summer Forest Interpreters lead a wide range of activities, from short walks to amphitheater presentations, to help you understand and enjoy this area. Mount St. Helens is a popular climb for both beginning and experienced mountaineers. Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge route from Climbers Bivouac. This route gains 4,500 feet in 5 miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation. Permits are required above 4,800 feet year-round.

Silver Star Mountain, at 4,390 feet, is the focus of a scenic, high-elevation ridge top. Bluff Mountain Trail #172 traverses the open ridge top from Silver Star east to Little Baldy.

Centuries-old eruptions of pumice and lava from Mount St. Helens created numerous geologic attractions on its south flank. Lava tubes and caves, formed in the cooling lava, range from thousands of feet in length to small bubble like chambers. Most are located on the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument or the Mt. Adams Ranger District.

The Midway High Lakes are five high-elevation lakes which lie within a 7-mile radius of each other. There are developed campgrounds and each lake provides fishing and limited boating. The area has access to nearby recreation trails to the Mt. Adams Wilderness. There are spectacular views of Mt. Adams from some of the lakes.

The Big Lava Bed is an unusual lava field which originated from a crater, now 500 feet deep. Lodgepole pine, alder, and other pioneer plants struggle to survive amid towering rock piles, caves, and odd lava formations that fascinate hardy explorers and sightseers. No trails or roads cross the lava field, generally limiting exploration to the perimeter.

Located east of the community of Packwood, 462-acre Packwood Lake can be reached by an easy 4-mile hike. Situated adjacent to the Goat Rocks Wilderness, it provides an excellent view of Johnson Peak. There is also good trail access into the Wilderness. Fishing can be good in late spring.

The Wind River Canopy Crane is a unique research facility designed to provide scientists with access to the entire three-dimensional space of forest canopies. Constructed in 1995 it is one of only three canopy cranes in the world. Groups that would like a canopy crane interpretive walk need to call (509) 427-3349.

Leave your motorized vehicle behind and bring your walking shoes, bicycle, or horse to explore the Lone Butte Wildlife Emphasis Area. The LBWEA encompasses 12,450 acres of distinctive habitats. Bring binoculars, field guides, food and water, and enjoy this intriguing area.

The abundant rain and snowfall in the western Cascades feed an extensive river system on this Forest. The Cispus River, the Lewis River, and the Clear Fork and Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz river have been recommended as additions to the Wild and Scenic River system. Thirteen
additional rivers are being studied as potential Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Attractions - The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of the oldest National Forests in the United States. The Forest encompasses 1,372,000 acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by congress in 1982.

The Gifford Pinchot has a number of areas of special interest. The Dark Divide Roadless Area is an area of rock outcroppings and alpine vegetation where you can enjoy panoramic views of snowcapped mountains in four directions. The area can be explored via Boundary Trail #1.

Mount St. Helens is an active volcano in southwest Washington and is the central feature of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Numerous viewpoints and miles of trails have been created for you to explore by car and foot. During the summer Forest Interpreters lead a wide range of activities, from short walks to amphitheater presentations, to help you understand and enjoy this area. Mount St. Helens is a popular climb for both beginning and experienced mountaineers. Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge route from Climbers Bivouac. This route gains 4,500 feet in 5 miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation. Permits are required above 4,800 feet year-round.

Silver Star Mountain, at 4,390 feet, is the focus of a scenic, high-elevation ridgetop. Bluff Mountain Trail #172 traverses the open ridgetop from Silver Star east to Little Baldy.

Centuries-old eruptions of pumice and lava from Mount St. Helens created numerous geologic attractions on its south flank. Lava tubes and caves, formed in the cooling lava, range from thousands of feet in length to small bubble like chambers. Most are located on the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument or the Mt. Adams Ranger District.

The Midway High Lakes are five high-elevation lakes which lie within a 7-mile radius of each other. There are developed campgrounds and each lake provides fishing and limited boating. The area has access to nearby recreation trails to the Mt. Adams Wilderness. There are spectacular views of Mt. Adams from some of the lakes.

The Big Lava Bed is an unusual lava field which originated from a crater, now 500 feet deep. Lodgepole pine, alder, and other pioneer plants struggle to survive amid towering rock piles, caves, and odd lava formations that fascinate hardy explorers and sightseers. No trails or roads cross the lava field, generally limiting exploration to the perimeter.

Located east of the community of Packwood, 462-acre Packwood Lake can be reached by an easy 4-mile hike. Situated adjacent to the Goat Rocks Wilderness, it provides an excellent view of Johnson Peak. There is also good trail access into the Wilderness. Fishing can be good in late spring.

The Wind River Canopy Crane is a unique research facility designed to provide scientists with access to the entire three-dimensional space of forest canopies. Constructed in 1995 it is one of only three canopy cranes in the world. Groups that would like a canopy crane interpretive walk need to call (509) 427-3349

Leave your motorized vehicle behind and bring your walking shoes, bicycle, or horse to explore the Lone Butte Wildlife Emphasis Area. The LBWEA encompasses 12,450 acres of distinctive habitats. Bring binoculars, field guides, food and water, and enjoy this intriguing area.

The abundant rain and snowfall in the western Cascades feed an extensive river system on this Forest. The Cispus River, the Lewis River, and the Clear Fork and Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River have been recommended as additions to the Wild and Scenic River system. Thirteen additional rivers are being studied as potential Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Recreation - Some of the many recreation opportunities on the Gifford Pinchot include hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, ATVing, camping, boating, fishing, cross-country skiing and sightseeing.

The Forest contains numerous campgrounds and picnic areas. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest Visitor Map includes a list of facilities and activities available at each location. Camp spots can be either reservation or first-come, first-served basis. Several "horse camps" are all located on or near horse trails. Dispersed Camping is permitted throughout most of the Forest.

The Gifford Pinchot offers over 1,100 miles of trail at varying difficulty. Most trails are located in upper-elevation forest and alpine areas. Some trails lead to the many waterfalls on the Forest. Over 300 miles of trail are located within the wildernesses. Approximately 150 miles of new trails are constructed to barrier-free standard, which also includes several levels of difficulty. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail also crosses this National Forest.

Many trails on the Forest are open to mountain bikers. Although some are excellent riding trails, there are many that mountain bike riders would not choose to use.

The Gifford Pinchot is an excellent place for canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and other forms of boating. The abundant precipitation in the area feeds an extensive river system.

Climate - Climate on the Gifford Pinchot changes drastically with elevation. The area receives a high amount of precipitation. Much of the precipitation comes from October to April in the form of rain at the low elevations and as wet heavy snow in the higher elevations. Deep winter snowpacks accumulate in the high elevations.

Although snow is possible in the lowest elevations, it is infrequent. Late spring, summer and early autumn tend to bring clear, sunny days with moderate temperatures.

Location - The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is located in southwest Washington State. It lies between Mount Rainier National Park and the Columbia River Gorge, and includes the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The Gifford Pinchot is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.