Road closures in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Hey we’re looking to go to Pinto Rock in Gifford Pinchot National Forest from the Seattle area and was wondering if anyone knew if the 131 and all those roads were still closed.

Enrique,  
I was out today (Wednesday, 5/2), about 30 miles SW of Pinto Rock. I got stopped by snow at 3,000 feet. The Pinto Rock parking area is about 4,600 feet.

Don't know if you have ever been to Pinto Rock. The maps are misleading. It would seem that you can get there by driving Hwy 131 (which shortly changes to FR25) south, cross the Cispus River, then drive FR76 to FR77, which goes past Pinto. Unless you have a REAL 4X4, it ain't gonna happen. The upper parts of FR77, as it traverses the flank of French Butte, are badly water damaged.

This means that you have to stay on FR25, past the FR99 junction, to FR28 to the south end of FR77. FR25 is winter gated, just past FR99. It probably won't be plowed out until maybe July 1 this year. They won't open up FR25, until they clear the snow all the way over Elk Pass (4,080 feet). Then, it will take a while for FR77 to melt out, after FR25 is plowed open. Then, keep in mind that there are a couple of steep, iffy dirt sections, that you don't want to try to drive in a 2whd if things are still wet.

Check the Cowlitz Valley RD web site. They will start to issue advisories, when they start working on FR25.

Feel free to PM me with any questions about the S Cascades!

Kelly

Kelly Wagner wrote: I was out today (Wednesday, 5/2), about 30 miles SW of Pinto Rock. I got stopped by snow at 3,000 feet. The Pinto Rock parking area is about 4,600 feet.

we actually went yesterday(Tuesday, 5,1) and same thing happened to us, but it seems like even if we did make it farther we wouldn't have actually made it very far due to what you have said about the roads because we were following the misleading maps. Thank you for taking the time to write out your reply and giving us helpful advice!

Enrique

Any update on conditions? 

Today (6/22) I called the Cowlitz Valley RD, and their voice message (dated 5/15/18!) says that both FR25 &FR99 are still closed. I did find somewhere on the web site that both are now open. There is usually a big press announcement about the opening, which I have not seen, so not 100% certain. It is about the normal opening time though.

Kelly, thaks for sharing the information you found. Much appreciated. Maybe it’s time to go scout the roads as an excuse to ride some dirt/gravel for an afternoon on the motorcycle. 

I may be out on the 99 & 26 roads myself. If so, will post what I find

The 25 road is open. The 28 road is open. I have to assume that the 77 road up to Pinto Rock is open.
The Gifford Pinchot NF just posted today that the 99 road (to Windy Ridge) is now open. I thought it would be another 2 more weeks.

Yes NF-25 and 28 are both open but I heard NF-77 might be washed out somewhere. Has anyone on here actually climbed at Pinto Rock? Lots of bolts up there now...