Web sites for weekly snow updates plus maps of the Gifford Pinchot ski trails:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf
http:// www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/winter/
In a snow-flocked forest, a half-mile from the parking lot can feel a lot like a wilderness area.
Three feet of snow turns a logging clear-cut into a meadow. Douglas firs and western hemlocks look exceptional when covered in white. It’s special to be in the woods in winter, especially several miles deep with only snowshoes or cross-country skis and your own energy to bring you back safely.
While it’s necessary to drive to Mount Hood to enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding, there’s plenty of winter recreation on this side of the Columbia River.
The U.S. Forest Service has a dozen sno-parks with almost 500 parking spots clumped in three areas of the southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Hundreds of miles of snow-covered roads and trails offer a plethora of choices for cross-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobile riders.
Each of the winter recreation areas has its positives. The south side of Mount St. Helens is the closest to most of Clark County, while skiers-snowshoers and snowmobilers have separate areas at Upper Wind River. The trails north of Trout Lake on the south side of Mount Adams are the farthest away, yet generally have the best weather, best snow and most solitude.
Here’s a look at the winter recreation options in the southern Gifford Pinchot. A Washington sno-park permit is required to park at the Gifford Pinchot sno-parks. The cost is $20 per day and $40 for the season. Vendors also may add a $1 service fee.
• Mount St. Helens
Cougar and Marble Mountain sno-parks are along road No. 83 on the south side of the peak. Cougar is at 2,200 feet and has parking for 30 vehicles. It is used mostly by snowmobile riders, although it provides access to the Kalama Ski Trail.
Marble Mountain is at 2,700 feet and has two parking lots, with a combined capacity of 130 vehicles. There is a warming shelter at the main Marble Mountain lot. Snowmobile riders, skiers, snowshoers and even mountain climbers all depart from this parking area.
Both sno-parks normally get snow in early December. At such a low elevation, winter can end by February. Yet some years, it extends into May.
• Upper Wind River
Oldman Pass, Koshko, McClellan Meadows, Rush Creek and Lone Butte sno-parks all are accessed from Wind River Road No. 30 leading north from Carson in Skamania County.
Oldman Pass (3,040 feet, 40 parking spots), Koshko (3,080 feet, 60 parking spots) and McClellan Meadows (2,980 feet, 30 parking spots) are fairly close together and used by cross-country skiers and snowshoers. There’s also a sliding hill accessible from Oldman Pass.
Rush Creek (3,030 feet, 10 parking spots) and Lone Butte (3,140 feet, 50 parking spots, warming shelter) are used by snowmobile riders who head north and east toward the Sawtooth Huckleberry Fields and Mount Adams.
• Mount Adams
Five winter parking lots are within a few miles of the community of Trout Lake on the south side of Mount Adams.
Atkisson (2,760 feet, 30 parking spaces) and Flattop (2,600 feet, 30 parking spaces) both are west of Trout Lake and have warming shelters. Pineside (2,700 feet, 25 parking spaces), SnowKing (3,250 feet, 25 parking spots) and Smith Butte (3,900 feet, 25 parking spaces) are northeast of Trout Lake. Atkisson and Flattop are used primarily by snowmobile riders, while Pineside, SnowKing and Smith Butte are used by all groups.
Smith Butte, the highest elevation sno-park in the Gifford Pinchot, is not always accessible. During periods of heavy snow, the road generally is plowed only to Pineside and SnowKing.
