Forest Road 99 Opens and Ranger Talks Begin Friday, July 29

Release Date: Jul 27, 2011

Forest Road 99 will open the morning of Friday, July 29, 2011, accessing popular east-side Mount St. Helens attractions such as Windy Ridge, Meta Lake and the Miner’s Car where world-class Interpretive Rangers give informational presentations seven days a week.

Visiting this remote and unique location deep within the blast-zone to see the amazing recovery from the 1980 eruption is an experience to be had nowhere else in the world. And only for a short time each year as conditions allow.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument offers daily Ranger-led activities at sites along FR 99, including Eruption Talks at the famous Windy Ridge Viewpoint.

Interpretive programs offered at Lahar Viewpoint on FR 83 while FR 99 remained closed will continue Fridays through Sundays. FR 99 programs will run seven day a week through the remainder of the season.

Ranger Cory Wall said interpreters hope to see local families taking advantage of Ranger-led activities along Forest Road 99 and Windy Ridge, as well other sites on the Monument.

“Each year I speak with visitors from close cities such as Portland or Seattle who have not been here since before the eruption. They almost always express regret they had not taken the opportunity sooner,” reported Wall. “They rave over the landscape and the stories our Ranger's share. We would really like to see more local families taking advantage of this unique experience.”