FiSicm In the Open— The National Forests of Washington 



The St. Helens country may be reached from Castle Rock, Wash., as an out- 

 fitting point. A road 47 miles long, passable for automobiles, connects Castle 

 Rock and Spirit Lake. This road is being improved by the F'orest Service and 

 Cowlitz County. At present there are no hotel accommodations at Spirit Lake, and 

 tourists should take necessary provisions and camping equipment. 



Spirit Lake lies at an altitude of 3,199 feet, about 3 miles north of the base of 

 Blount St. Helens. The lake is 3 miles long and averages over one-half mile in 

 width. It is famous as a fishing place. Here, on land occupied under special use 

 permit, is the permanent camp of the Portland Y. M. C. A. Boys' Department. 

 The Forest Sen.ace maintains a public camp ground on the south shore of the lake, 

 where tourists and campers are always welcome. A heavy forest surrounds the 

 lake. The Forest Service has surveyed 59 summer home sites along the south 

 shore of the lake, which are open for leasing by the public at prices ranging from 

 $7.50 to $10 a year, depending upon location. More definite information concern- 

 ing these sites may be obtained from the District Ranger at Spirit Lake or by 

 addressing the Forest Super\dsor, Portland, Oreg. 



Mount St. Helens, 9,671 feet high, is the youngest mountain in the Cascade 

 Range. Because of its youth, its surface is smooth and its shape more symmetrical 

 than those of the older peaks. Eruptions occurred as late as 1842, and at the present 

 time there are fissures from which sufficient heat is exuded to cook rice overnight. 

 On the summit is a fairly level area of about 50 acres. This mountain is most 

 easily climbed from the southern side, but no great obstacles are encountered in 

 ascending from the north. Persons not accustomed to mountain climbing should 

 not attempt it without a guide. The glaciers of Mount St. Helens (noted for their 

 cleanness and their crevasses) and the wells and caves are features which draw an 

 increasing number of visitors each year. Lava flows containing enormous caves 

 occur on the southwestern side. Almost perfect casts of trees and logs are also 

 found in the stone. These lava flows are most easily reached from Woodland, 

 Wash. An automobile road up the Lewis River makes travel possible to within i 

 mile of the most interesting features. 



The supervisor's headquarters is in the Post Office Building, Portland, Oreg., 

 and district rangers are located at Stabler, Guler, and Spirit Lake. 



