Five campgrounds, some trails on Mount Adams reopen after wildfires forced closures

TROUT LAKE — Five campgrounds on the west flank of Mount Adams have reopened, along with several trails in the Mount Adams Wilderness, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, after a wildfire forced closures in the area.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has relaxed access restrictions enacted in August in the Mount Adams area while crews fought the 13,000-acre Williams Mine Fire.

The fire was ignited by a lightning strike Aug. 5.

The Takhlakh Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Olallie Lake and Killen Creek campgrounds are open, along with Keenes Horse Camp. There will be no servicing of the toilets or garbage cans this late in the season, so campers will need to pack out trash and waste.

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail No. 2000 is open to hikers.

An official at the Mount Adams Ranger District office in Trout Lake said the Pacific Crest Trail is now the western boundary for the Williams Mine Fire restricted area. Areas east of the trail remain closed.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest roads Nos. 23 and 2329 are open.

Open trails include Muddy Meadows No. 13, Killen Creek No. 113, Divide Camp No. 112, Highline No. 114, Riley South No. 64A, Takh Takh Meadow No. 136 and Takhlakh Loop No. 134.

Among the trails that remain closed are Pineway No. 71, South Climb No. 183, Snipes Mountain No. 11, Gotchen Creek No. 40, Shorthorn No. 16, Stagman Ridge No. 12, Looking Glass Lake No. 9A, Morrison Creek No. 39, Crofton Ridge No. 73, Round the Mountain No. 9, Salt Creek No. 75, Cold Springs No. 72 and the Big Tree cross-country skiing route.

The Forest Service reports personnel are in the process of repairing damage done by firefighting efforts. The repairs include disposing of tons of wood debris, improving road drainage and reseeding with native plant species.

The Williams Mine Fire was 32 percent contained as of Monday. The Forest Service estimates it will be fully contained by Oct. 31.