One doesn’t have to venture far in Lewis County to enjoy one of nature’s great natural beauties — the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Located in the foothills and near the crest of the Cascade Mountains, Gifford Pinchot encompasses the eastern third of Lewis County, stretching from the Columbia River to Mount Rainier and from Mount St. Helens to Mount Adams.
Gifford Pinchot is one of the oldest national forests. It was part of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve established in 1897. The current forest was set aside as the Columbia National Forest in 1908, and became the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 1949, named after a conservationist appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest hosts a variety of plant species, among them, yellow cedars. Photo by Brian Mittge.
The forest attracts nearly two million visitors a year, with good reason. There are 62 campgrounds, almost 2,400 miles of drivable roads and nearly 1,500 miles of trails within its 1.5 million acres. With a dozen major river systems, more than 1,300 miles of streams and more than 100 lakes within its boundaries, GPNF offers a vast array of recreational opportunities.
More than 20 species of fish await anglers, and big game species such as deer, elk, black bear, cougar and mountain goats are plentiful. Small game like grouse, bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoon, rabbits and wild birds also call the GPNF home, thanks to a diverse range of habitats, from low-elevation old-growth forests to alpine meadows.
Much of the park is accessible by automobile. There are several drives through the forest, and loops that take you into the forest and back to your point of origin. Maps are available at the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District at 10024 U.S. Highway 12 in Randle or GPNF headquarters in Vancouver, Wash.
For those who prefer to travel by foot, there are hundreds of miles of trails through the high country. Many traverse high elevation ridges above the timberline with views of the surrounding mountains, including Rainier, St. Helens and Adams, with a bonus view of Mount Hood, in Oregon. Hikers are always reminded to think of safety first and be sure to bring plenty of drinking water, or the means to purify water, and to be prepared by bringing essential survival gear, including extra food and clothing. Several trail guides are available at bookstores, and maps and information are also available at any Forest Service ranger station. Detailed information on the park is available online at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf.