The post Discover Lewis County is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Tourism Leadership Awards appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

(August 22, 2024)— Repair work has begun on Forest Road 52 (Skate Creek Road) on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. This road project consists of fixing fill failures that have occurred with settling, replacing culverts, paving, removing roadside hazard trees, and replacing a gate.

Due to work currently in progress, the public may experience up to 30-minute delays when traveling FR 52. Beginning September 3rd, there is a planned 30-day road closure on FR 52 between mileposts 9.24 and 18.65, from Mondays at 8:00am to Friday at 8pm. The road will be
open each weekend from Friday at 8:00pm to Monday at 8:00am.

The entrance to Forest Road 52 from the north is located off Highway 706 east of Ashford and the south entrance is off Highway 12 in Packwood.

The post Current Delays and Upcoming Closure on Skate Creek Road appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

A free-use permit for personal consumption is available to remove up to one gallon of berries per day and a total of three gallons per year. Berries obtained under a free-use permit may not be sold. There is no cost for free-use permits. To apply for a free-use berry permit, visit:
https://gp.fs2c.usda.gov/gp/. This is the only way to obtain a free-use permit. Remember to print your permit or save it to your mobile device, along with conditions for use, and a map of the locations open to free-use berry collection. We remind personal use permit pickers to record your harvest on your permit sheet whenever you collect berries.

Huckleberries are found throughout the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, however, some areas are closed to huckleberry collection for commercial and/or personal use. Some important areas closed to all berry removal include:

• The legislated Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
• All legislated Wildernesses (although berries may be picked and consumed while in the Wilderness)
• The “Handshake Agreement” area of the Sawtooth Berry Fields. (The northern portion of the Sawtooth Berry Fields is closed to all berry picking by the public. This area is reserved for members of the Yakama Nation to gather their traditional foods.)

Beginning Monday, August 12, commercial use berry permits will be available at Ranger District offices in Randle, Amboy, and Trout Lake through walk-up service windows. Check the forest website for locations and hours of operation: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/officehours.

The following regulations apply to commercial charge use berry permits:

• Permits cost $60 for 14 consecutive days and up to 40 gallons, or $105 and up to 70 gallons for the season.
• Rakes or mechanical devices to remove berries are not permitted.
• A map is issued with each permit indicating areas open or closed to commercial charge use permit collection. This map can also be obtained for free by downloading the free USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Avenza maps app to your mobile device, and uploading the Gifford Pinchot NF-Special Products Map: Gifford Pinchot NF – Special Forest Products Map by US Forest Service R6 Pacific Northwest Region (WA/OR) | Avenza Maps
• Permittees may camp for up to 14 days, but not within any area closed to commercial charge use berry collection.
• Commercial picking is not allowed in the Pole Patch Non-Commercial Harvesting Area on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District.

Under Washington State law, berry buyers and sellers must document their sales transactions. Violation of any regulation for berry permits is subject to a citation and fine. For more details, please visit the Forest’s permit page: Gifford Pinchot National Forest – Forest Products Permits (usda.gov).

Please be courteous and respectful of other pickers. Give plenty of space to others and remember that there are probably more berries to be found just up the road. Be kind and treat others as you would want you and your family to be treated.

All garbage and human waste must be contained and removed from the Forest. Remember to pack out what you pack in to keep places healthy and accessible for other users. To learn more, view our dispersed camping guidelines and rules at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/dispersed.

For the safety of all forest users, berry harvesters are asked to make sure their vehicles are not parked within the roadway. This can block access to other visitors and create safety hazards. Park on durable surfaces within one car length of the shoulder of the road.

Remember, some developed recreation sites charge a day-use fee. View a list of recreation sites at Gifford Pinchot National Forest that charge a fee: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/dayusefee.

Fire restrictions are in effect across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Building, maintaining,
attending, or using a fire, campfire or charcoal fire is prohibited outside of designated developed campgrounds. For more information, please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/fire.

The post Huckleberry Season on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

Under this fire restriction, wood and charcoal fires are only allowed in designated campgrounds and picnic areas that have established metal fire pits or rings. Building and tending open fires, including charcoal briquettes, cooking fires, and warming fires are prohibited until further notice. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns and heating devices using liquified or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be easily switched off. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material is also prohibited. Violators can be fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned up to six months in jail.

Even where campfires are permitted, make sure fires are totally extinguished and cool to the touch before leaving the site. Use the metal campfire rings in the campgrounds, clear vegetation away from any flame sources, and keep a shovel and bucket of water close by.

Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 2 also goes into effect on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest July 12. Restrictions on firewood cutting, timber operations, and other industrial operations performed on national forest lands will be required to follow IFPL 2 requirements. Included in these requirements are a prohibition on chainsaw use between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and the need to maintain a fire watch of at least one hour following the use of a chainsaw.

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or charcoal fire is authorized only in the following designated campgrounds:

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

• Adams Fork Campground
• Big Creek Campground
• Blue Lake Creek Campground
• Cat Creek Campground **NOT CHIMNEY AREA**
• Chambers Lake Campground
• Cispus Learning Center
• Cody Horse Camp
• Horseshoe Lake Campground
• La Wis Wis Campground
• Keenes Horse Camp
• Killen Creek Campground
• North Fork Campground (Main and Group)
• Olallie Lake Campground
• Soda Springs Campground
• Takhlakh Lake Campground
• Tower Rock Campground
• Walupt Lake Campground

Walupt Horse Camp Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & District

• Kalama Horse Camp
• Green River Horse Camp

Mt Adams Ranger District

• Atkisson Group Camp
• Beaver Campground
• Cold Springs
• Indian Camp
• Cultus Creek Campground
• Falls Creek Horse Camp
• Forlorn Lakes Campground
• Goose Lake Campground
• Government Mineral Springs Campground (Does not include Guard Station)
• Lewis River Horse Camp
• Lower Falls Campground
• Moss Creek Campground
• Oklahoma Campground
• Panther Creek Campground
• Paradise Creek Campground
• Peterson Prairie Campground (Includes Cabin)
• Tillicum Campground
• Trout Lake Creek Campground
• Twin Falls Campground

Visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website for updates: www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot

The post Fire Restrictions take effect on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest July 12 appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

Beginning Thursday, July 4, 2024, Forest Road 99 leading to the Windy Ridge Interpretive Site on the northeast side of Mount St. Helens will be open to the public. As a reminder, there remains a road closure on Forest Road 25, south of FR 99, due to last year’s landslide. Windy Ridge is only accessible from the north on Forest Road 25 via Randle. The southern extent of the Forest Road 25 road closure is located at milepost 38.6 just north of the Forest Road 93 junction.

Visitor/Information Centers open on the July 4th holiday include:

• Science & Learning Center at Coldwater, Open 10am-4pm daily
• Ape Cave, Open 9am-5pm daily (Reservations required)
• Washington State Parks Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Open 9am-5pm daily

For current recreation condition reports visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/giffordpinchot/recreation#conditions

Current Monument Restrictions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1173420.pdf

Visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website for updates: www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot

The post Windy Ridge and Visitor Centers Open on July 4th appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

One of Mount Rainier National Park’s most scenic roads has reopened after an extensive $43-million, two-year rehabilitation project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund. The project repaired and restored nine miles of the iconic Stevens Canyon Road, which travels through the heart of the park and offers visitors breathtaking views of the rugged alpine landscape.

As the only road in the park connecting the popular Paradise and Sunrise areas, Stevens Canyon Road is traveled by many of the park’s 1.6 million annual visitors. The corridor also provides access to additional scenic attractions, recreational opportunities, and gateway communities along the park’s eastern border.

Decades of harsh winters, avalanches, rock fall and heavy traffic had impacted the road infrastructure, drainage systems, retaining walls and the road surface itself. The project’s completion enables continued visitor enjoyment of the park’s natural, cultural, and inspirational
features and reinforces infrastructure integrity through the repair of critical water drainage features that support proper runoff and minimize erosion.

Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding enabled the National Park Service to make this transformational investment that included repairing and repointing historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)-era stone masonry guard walls, retaining walls, culvert headwalls, tunnel portals, stone curbs, bridge, and viaduct parapet walls that contribute to the park’s National Historic Landmark District status.

“We are thrilled to reopen this spectacular route linking the west and east sides of the park in time for the busy summer season,” said Superintendent Greg Dudgeon. “As a result of all this work, visitors will have a smooth, scenic ride through the park and easier access to recreational opportunities.”

Stevens Canyon Road is buried under snow from approximately October through May every year, which limited construction work to the short, snow-free summer season. The roadway reopened to the public on May 24, 2024.

GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive deferred maintenance and repair backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.

For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s website.

The post Stevens Canyon Road reopens after $43 million facelift appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

Mount Rainier National Park timed entry reservations for visits to the popular Paradise Corridor start Friday, May 24, 2024, and run through Monday, September 2, 2024. Many weekend and weekday advance timed entry reservations for the Paradise Corridor remain available. The Sunrise Corridor is projected to fully open by Thursday, July 4, 2024. Weekday reservations for the Sunrise Corridor in July are still available, and both weekday and weekend timed entry reservations for Sunrise in August are also available.

Visitors who prefer a more spontaneous visit can enter the park without a timed entry reservation before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or they may choose to wait for a second block of timed entry reservations to be released at 7 p.m. every summer evening for visits on the following day.

In addition, Stevens Canyon Road has reopened after a two-year rehabilitation project and the portions of State Routes (SR) 123 and 410 that travel through the park’s eastern boundary have also reopened. The portion of SR 410 from the intersection of SR 123 past Tipsoo Lake remains closed, pending final road washout repairs from WSDOT. Vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists are prohibited in the closed area, and
no parking is allowed at the intersection of SR 410/SR 123 near Cayuse Pass. There is no access to Tipsoo Lake until final road repairs are completed.

White River Campground, Sunrise, and Mowich Lake remain closed and are always among the last locations in the park to reopen for the summer season. Information on road status of all locations in the park is updated on the park’s road status site.

Visitors entering the park during the spring melt-out season should be prepared for snow-covered trails and be alert for snow bridges and rapidly changing weather conditions. Information on spring hiking safety can be found on the park’s website.

The 2024 pilot timed entry reservation system seeks to spread out visitation in the most heavily impacted corridors throughout the day. The system will be in effect from Friday, May 24, 2024, through Monday, September 2, 2024. Starting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, visitors will not require a timed entry reservation to visit any location in Mount Rainier National Park. Entrance passes are required for all
visitors accessing any area in the park, regardless of the day and time.

Park visitors will need a reservation between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. to:

• Enter the Paradise Corridor from either the Nisqually Entrance via State Route 706 or Stevens Canyon Entrance via State Route 123 from May 24 through September 2.
• Enter the Sunrise Corridor at the White River Entrance via State Route 410 from July 4 through Sept. 2.

Each reservation is for one personal vehicle and will cost $2. The reservation will provide a two-hour entry window. For instance, visitors with a 9 a.m. reservation could enter the park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no required departure time.

Visitors with in-park reservations for lodging in the Paradise Corridor will not require an additional timed entry reservation and can enter that corridor any time after 1 p.m. the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay. Other permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit or commercial use authorization.

The park has grown in popularity in recent years, with visitation growing from just over 1.1 million in 2013 to about 1.6 million in 2022. Most of those visits occur between July and September and are concentrated in a small number of destinations, including Paradise.

Detailed information on both the pilot reservation system is located at https://go.nps.gov/MORATimedEntry

Visitors with questions about the park’s timed entry reservation system can contact the park at MORA_Timed_Entry@nps.gov or review the timed entry reservation system frequently asked questions list. Timed entry reservations may only be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s website.

The post Timed entry reservation period begins at Mt. Rainier National Park appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

A second block of reservations will be available at 7 p.m. Pacific Time throughout the summer to support spontaneous visits for the following day.

ASHFORD, Wash. – Mount Rainier National Park timed entry reservations for visits to the Paradise and/or Sunrise Corridors for dates from August 1, 2024, through September 2, 2024,  will become available on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Visitors who wish to plan ahead for a visit through September 2 can visit Recreation.gov any time after 8 a.m. Pacific Time starting Wednesday, May 1, and select their preferred dates and time blocks.  Timed entry reservations for the Paradise Corridor starting on Friday, May 24 also remain available.

Visitors who prefer a more spontaneous visit can enter the park without a timed entry reservation before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or they may choose to wait for a second block of timed entry reservations to be released at 7 p.m. every summer evening for visits on the following day.

The 2024 pilot timed entry reservation system seeks to spread out visitation in the most heavily impacted corridors throughout the day.  The system will be in effect from Friday, May 24, 2024, through Monday, September 2, 2024. Starting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, visitors will not require a timed entry reservation to visit any location in Mount Rainier National Park. Entrance passes are required for all visitors accessing any area in the park, regardless of the day and time.

Park visitors will need a reservation between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. to:

• Enter the Paradise Corridor from either the Nisqually Entrance via State Route 706 or Stevens Canyon Entrance via State Route 123 from May 24 through September 2. Starting May 1, timed entry reservations for the entire timed entry reservation period of May 24–September 2, 2024 will be available.
• Enter the Sunrise Corridor at the White River Entrance via State Route 410 from July 4 through Sept. 2. Starting May 1, timed entry reservations for July 4–September 2, 2024 will be available.

Each reservation is for one personal vehicle and will cost $2. The reservation will provide a two-hour entry window. For instance, visitors with a 9 a.m. reservation could enter the park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no required departure time.

Visitors with in-park reservations for lodging or camping in one of the two corridors will not require an additional timed entry reservation and can enter that corridor any time after 1 p.m. the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay. Other permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit or commercial use authorization.

The park has grown in popularity in recent years, with visitation growing from just over 1.1 million in 2013 to about 1.6 million in 2022. Most of those visits occur between July and September and are concentrated in a small number of destinations, including Paradise.

The National Park Service has been engaged in a visitor use management planning effort focused on the Nisqually-Paradise Corridor. During the planning process, the public also raised concerns about congestion in the Sunrise Corridor. A draft environmental assessment was shared with the public in April 2023 and identified reservation systems as a strategy to address the overall visitor experience.

This pilot reservation system is a key part of evaluating what type of system will provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors. The system is not expected to reduce overall visitation, but rather spread it out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding.

Detailed information on both the pilot reservation system is located at https://go.nps.gov/MORATimedEntry

Visitors with questions about the park’s timed entry reservation system can contact the park at MORA_Timed_Entry@nps.gov or review the timed entry reservation system frequently asked questions list. Timed entry reservations may only be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling  877-444-6777 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s website.

The post Next timed entry reservations for August & September available May 1 appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

ASHFORD, Wash. – Mount Rainier National Park timed entry reservations for visits to the Paradise and/or Sunrise Corridors during the month of July 2024 will become available on Monday, April 1, 2024. Visitors who wish to plan ahead for a July visit can visit Recreation.gov any time after 8 a.m. Pacific Time starting Monday, April 1, and select their preferred dates and time blocks.  Timed entry reservations for the Paradise Corridor starting on Friday, May 24 are also available.

Visitors who prefer a more spontaneous visit can enter the park without a timed entry reservation before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or they may choose to wait for a second block of timed entry reservations to be released at 7 p.m. every summer evening for visits on the following day.

Entrance passes are required for all visitors accessing any area in the park, regardless of the day and time.

The 2024 pilot timed entry reservation system seeks to spread out visitation in the most heavily impacted corridors throughout the day.  The system will be in effect from Friday, May 24, 2024, through Monday, September 2, 2024. “We believe the timed entry system will not only reduce overcrowding but will also help protect special places like the wildflower meadows at Paradise and Sunrise that so many folks enjoy.” stated Superintendent Greg Dudgeon.

Park visitors will need a reservation between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. to:

• Enter the Paradise Corridor from either the Nisqually Entrance via State Route 706 or Stevens Canyon Entrance via State Route 123 from May 24 through Sept. 2. Starting April 1, timed entry reservations for May 24–July 31 will be available.
• Enter the Sunrise Corridor at the White River Entrance via State Route 410 from July 4 through Sept. 2. Starting April 1, timed entry reservations for July 4–July 31 will be available.

Each reservation is for one personal vehicle and will cost $2. The reservation will provide a two-hour entry window. For instance, visitors with a 9 a.m. reservation could enter the park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no required departure time.

Visitors with in-park reservations for lodging or camping in one of the two corridors will not require an additional timed entry reservation and can enter that corridor any time after 1 p.m. the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay. Other permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit or commercial use authorization.

The park has grown in popularity in recent years, with visitation growing from just over 1.1 million in 2013 to about 1.6 million in 2022. Most of those visits occur between July and September and are concentrated in a small number of destinations, including Paradise.

The National Park Service has been engaged in a visitor use management planning effort focused on the Nisqually-Paradise Corridor. During the planning process, the public also raised concerns about congestion in the Sunrise Corridor. A draft environmental assessment was shared with the public in April 2023 and identified reservation systems as a strategy to address the overall visitor experience.

This pilot reservation system is a key part of evaluating what type of system will provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors. The system is not expected to reduce overall visitation, but rather spread it out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding.

Detailed information on both the pilot reservation system is located at https://go.nps.gov/MORATimedEntry

Visitors with questions about the park’s timed entry reservation system can contact the park at MORA_Timed_Entry@nps.gov or review the timed entry reservation system frequently asked questions list. Timed entry reservations may only be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling  877-444-6777 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s website.

The post Timed entry reservations for July visits to Paradise and Sunrise Available April 1 appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.

ASHFORD, Wash. – Mount Rainier National Park visitors will need a reservation to enter the park through the Nisqually, Stevens Canyon and Sunrise/White River entrance stations during peak hours during Summer 2024.

“In recent years, it’s been too common for visitors to sit in idling cars for a couple of hours at the entrance stations and then make laps through the parking lots hoping for an empty parking space,” said Superintendent Greg Dudgeon. “We are testing a system that will spread visitation out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding.”

Park visitors will need a reservation between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.:

Enter the Paradise Corridor from either the Nisqually Entrance via State Route 706 or Stevens Canyon Entrance via State Route 123 May 24 through Sept. 2.
Enter the Sunrise Corridor at the White River Entrance via State Route 410 July 3 through Sept. 2.
Reservations can be made using Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Dates through July will be available on Recreation.gov beginning Feb. 21, 2024, for the Paradise Corridor and April 1, 2024, for the Sunrise Corridor. Reservations for dates in August through Labor Day will open on May 1. In addition to the reservations available up to three months ahead, a block of reservations will be released each day through the summer at 7 p.m. for use the following day.

Each reservation is for one personal vehicle and will cost $2. The reservation will provide a two-hour entry window. For instance, visitors with a 9 a.m. reservation could enter the park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no required departure time.

No reservations are required for entry before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Visitors with in-park reservations for lodging or camping in one of the two corridors will not require an additional timed entry reservation and can enter that corridor any time after 1 p.m. the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay. Other permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit or commercial use authorization.

The park has grown in popularity in recent years, with visitation growing from just over 1.1 million in 2013 to about 1.6 million in 2022. Most of those visits occur between July and September and are concentrated in a small number of destinations, including Paradise.

The National Park Service has been engaged in a visitor use management planning effort focused on the Nisqually-Paradise Corridor. During the planning process, the public also raised concerns about congestion in the Sunrise Corridor. A draft environmental assessment was shared with the public in April 2023 and identified reservation systems as a preferred approach to address the overall visitor experience.

This pilot reservation system is a key part of evaluating what type of system will provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors. The system isn’t expected to reduce overall visitation, but rather spread it out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding.

Detailed information on both the pilot reservation system is located at https://go.nps.gov/MORATimedEntry

Visitors with questions about the park’s timed entry reservation system can contact the park at MORA_Timed_Entry@nps.gov or by calling 360-569-6249. Reservations may only be made at Recreation.gov. For information about Recreation.gov, call 877-444-6777 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

The post Many Mount Rainier National Park visitors will need reservations in summer 2024 appeared first on White Pass Scenic Byway.