Forest Service Road 25, on the east side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, is expected to open Thursday.

That will allow Forest Service crews to turn their attention to Road 99 that provides access to east-side monument attractions such Windy
Ridge, Meta Lake and Norway Pass Trailhead.

“In my 21 years on this Forest, this is the latest opening we’ve ever had,” Public Services Manager Ron Freeman said in a news release. “We are excited to finally get people into the Forest and Monument. Now if summer would just show, we’d really be happy.”

Late season …

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Despite the snow that continues to fall at higher elevations – they had 3 inches of new snow at Paradise Wednesday – Cougar Rock Campground at Mount Rainier National Park will open Friday at noon.

“There is still snow on the ground in the campground, so campers should be aware that while they may have a cleared spot to park their vehicle, they should expect to have to dig out their picnic tables and a space for tents in many of the sites,” said Chief Ranger Chuck Young.

Potable water, restrooms and other facilities are up and running, he added. …

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Here is a story from The Associated Press about damage done to the famed Sperry Chalet at Glacier National Park.

KALISPELL, Mont. — A backcountry hotel hit by an avalanche in Montana’s Glacier National Park sits unattended and partially filled with snow as officials wait for treacherous conditions to subside so they can reach the historic structure and begin repairs.

The slide likely hit the popular Sperry Chalet months ago, but the hotel is open only during the summer months so no one was around, officials said. Some skiers recently spotted the damage and notified park officials.

The risk of

…

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With the beginning of the traditional start of the summer recreation season coming this weekend, regardless of above normal snowpack many campgrounds, roads and trails on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be open:

Here is a rundown of conditions on the forest:

Camping

Some of the campgrounds open for Memorial Day Weekend include:

• Beaver, north of Carson
• Government Mineral Springs, north of Carson
• Iron Creek, south of Randle
• Kalama Horse Camp, north of Cougar
• La Wis Wis, east of Packwood (no water yet – reduced fee)
• Lower Falls, east of Cougar

…

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The day-use area at Dash Point State Park will reopen Friday. A week later, the upper loop (Loop A) of the 141-site campground will reopen.

The 398-acre park has been closed since last September so crews could complete a $3.4 million renovation of the park’s sewer system.

The park features more than 3,300 feet of Puget Sound shoreline, as well as 11 miles of hiking and biking trails. The park also is popular with anglers, especially on odd-numbered years when returning pink salmon pass the park en route to the Puyallup River.

The park is located at 5700 S.W. Dash …

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The state Department of Natural Resources this morning announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands from July 1-Sept. 30. The ban does not apply to federal lands.

The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to dry forest vegetation. Each year, the department strives to keep all wildfires under 10 acres. Last year, DNR had 71 wildfire starts simply from escaped outdoor burn piles, which burned approximately 153 acres, said a department news release.

The ban will apply to all outdoor burning on DNR-protected forestlands, including currently …

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It looks like folks wanting to recreate on state lands will have to purchase a new Discover Pass. Legislation creating the pass, which will cost $10 a day or $30 for a year, is awaiting the signature of Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Is the law takes effect, the pass would be required for most people wanting to recreate on lands owned or managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks and Recreation and state Department of Natural Resources.

Of the first $71 million generated every two years, 84 percent ($59.64 million) would go to State Parks. Eight percent …

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The lower beach campground at Fort Worden State Park will be closed for almost six weeks starting Friday, while sewer improvements are made and a new comfort station is built.

A State Parks and Recreation news release said beach campsites 1 through 50 will be closed with an expected reopening on Nov. 17.

The comfort station in the lower beach campground will be closed through December. Visitors to the beach area will be able to use the restrooms in the Cablehouse Canteen or the upper campground comfort station until the new comfort station is completed in January. The park …

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