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Spirit Lake Infrastructure Project Trail Closures
The replacement of the Spirit Lake Tunnel Intake Gate and Geotechnical Drilling project to support safe operations and maintenance of the Spirit Lake infrastructure will continue in 2025. Construction will require weekday recreation trail closures within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument during the multi-year construction effort.
The trails listed in the Forest Order, and below, will be closed Monday through Friday and open on Saturdays, Sundays, and all federal holidays from May 15 through October 31. The Windy Ridge Contractor Staging Area will be closed seven days per week from May 15 through October 31. Both closures will apply from 2024 through 2027.
View Forest Order No. 06-03-01-24-05: Truman Trail Network; 1E, 207, 207A, 216D, 216E and Forest System Road 99 Extension Entry Restrictions.
Access for search and rescue, special use permittees, researchers, and tribes will be coordinated through the Mount St. Helen’s District Ranger.
These temporary closures are needed to implement the project work and ensure a safe work environment. Visitors are asked to respect closures and to recreate in other areas of the Monument during closure periods.
Visitors can expect to see large construction equipment and materials. Dust may be seen from various locations on the Monument. Visitors will encounter large vehicles on Forest Road 99 and are advised to use caution when traveling to the area.
Alert Start Date: May 15, 2025
Alert End Date: October 30, 2027
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 06-03-01-24-05
Contact Information
Contact Name: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & District
Contact Number: (360) 449-7800
Associated Documents
Forest Order
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON
FOREST ORDER NO. 06-03-01-24-05
TRUMAN TRAIL NETWORK: 1E, 207, 207A, 216D, 216E AND FOREST SYSTEM ROAD 99 EXTENSION ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on Truman Trail Networks within Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. FSR 9900 Extension Closure Area is as described below and on the area Maps (Exhibits A & B).
This Order is effective Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays, each year beginning May 1 through October 30, 2025 through 2027, unless rescinded earlier. This order replaces Forest Order No. 06-03-01-24-04.
PROHIBITIONS:
- Entering into or being in the Restricted Area Monday through Friday during the Order effective This area is closed due to construction activities. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e). The Restricted Area is as follows:
- The southern portion of the Windy Ridge Parking area for contractor staging
- Forest Road 99 extension road from Windy Ridge to the Truman Trail
- Trail #207 – Truman Trail from TR 216E – Windy to TR 1 – Boundary
- Trail #216D – Plains of Abraham from TR216 – Loowit to FR 99 extension Road
- Trail #216E – Windy from TR 207 – Truman to TR 216 Loowit
- Trail #207A – Truman from TR 216 – Loowit to TR 207 – Truman
- Trail #1E – Harry’s Ridge
- Landing of aircraft, or dropping or picking up any material, supplies, or person by means of an aircraft, including a helicopter. 36 C.F.R. 261.58(y).
Note: The term aircraft encompasses Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS or “drones”). Aircraft is defined as any device invented, used, or designed for flying in the air. 49 U.S.C. § 40102; 14 C.F.R. § 1.1.
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Persons with Forest Service Permit FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).
Executed in Vancouver, Wash., this 10th day of December 2024.
JOHANNA KOVARIK
Forest Supervisor
Gifford Pinchot National Forest