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EtherPhreak t1_jc7turd wrote

You can only make it to Coldwater lake per WA DOT.

The winter visitor center info (Only open Saturday/Sunday):

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40401

Thursday, Nov. 10, until further notice: Both directions of SR 504 at milepost 49.0 near Coldwater Creek, are closed for the winter. This closure includes the portion of road that leads to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, which is also closed for the winter. The lower portion of SR 504 at Coldwater Lake will remain open as weather conditions allow. Please check road conditions before you travel.

Note: Crews will reopen SR 504 in spring 2023, once the threat of significant snowfall has passed.

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c-g-joy t1_jc8q9tm wrote

Unfortunately Johnston ridge is the only real option this time of year for views. The road to Marblemount Sno-park is closed right now too. Yeah, the road past Coldwater Lake is closed this time of year but, you can still hike up the road, or the Hummocks trail, to the observatory. Right now it will be snowshoeing, and easier to follow the road. However, it’s roughly 7 miles to the observatory, or 6.5 to the Loowit viewpoint each way. The Hummucks trail is 9.5 round trip, but you’d want to check NWAC for avalanche prediction, and have route finding skills. The lower part of the trail would be fine for tromping around, and there are some sneak peaks before you start to climb higher. If that interests you, there are plenty of places that rent out snowshoes between PDX and Mt St Helen. The most recent trip report I found, here, was from the 7th. Says there was about 2 feet of snow on the ground at Coldwater. It’s supposed to be warm this week, but the snow level isn’t predicted to go higher than 3700’ and the observatory is at roughly 4300’. So, there will definitely be fresh snow up top.

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WartimeHotTot OP t1_jc936dg wrote

Thanks so much for this. I called the ranger today and she confirmed exactly this. I’m relieved that there’s hope for my trip!

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