The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a wooded area that was designated a US National Forest in 1908. The National Forest is located in the state of Washington, in the northwestern United States, and covers an area of 5340.4 km². It extends 116 km on the western slope of the Cascade Range from Mount Rainier National Park to the Columbia River. It includes the 445 km² Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, which was established in 1982. In addition, since 1964, it has included several protected areas: Goat Rocks Wildlife (427 km²), Tatush Wilderness(63.9 km²), Mount Adams Wilderness (19.1 km²), Indian Skies Wilderness (82.6 km²), and Trapper Creek Wilderness. (24 km²).
Gifford Pinchot National Forest covers a huge area of 5537.3 square kilometers in the state of Washington, USA. There are mountains and forests, lakes and rivers on the territory of the nature protection object, but the main object is still Mount St. Helens. It was Saint Helena Volcano that gave the National Park such an unusual name.
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| Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington |
In the vicinity of the volcano St. Helens is located Lava Glade - a huge area that has preserved the consequences of centuries-old eruptions. Multi-meter lava tubes here coexist with deep winding caves. The most famous is the Monkey Cave, where tourists are allowed only in special speleological equipment. Monkey Cave - has the greatest length among the lava caves in the United States - almost 400 meters.
Glaciers and ice caves are located near Ranger Station Adams. Nearby is one of the largest lakes in the park - Packwood. Fishing is allowed here under a special license.
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| Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington |
Another large lake - Barsuka Lake - is located in the mountains. Among the snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows. It should be noted that very picturesque mountain peaks have gathered in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, among which Silver Star Mountain stands out. The forests on the slopes of this peak have been completely burned out, and now the slopes of the Silver Mountain are covered with meadow grasses that bloom profusely in spring.
And the numerous waterfalls of the National Park delight both ordinary tourists and professional photographers.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is popular with tourists. People come here to enjoy walks through virgin forests, where a huge variety of forest berries grows. Or just to enjoy the fresh air and privacy. Or maybe just to admire nature - the mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls and lakes of the Gifford Pinchot Park add up to a wonderful natural complex, only a little touched by a human hand.