A number of campgrounds, roads and lower-elevation trails on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be open in time for the Fourth of July holiday. Late spring snow is delaying the opening of some of higher elevation recreation facilities until mid summer.

Forest visitors are reminded that possessing, discharging or using fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices is prohibited on national forest land.

Visitors are advised always to check on current conditions before traveling. Some areas above 4,500 feet may still be snow covered. Go to www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation for the latest reports.

Final repair of flood damage on Forest Road 99 is under way. The road is closed at Bear Meadows viewpoint. If repairs continue according to schedule, forest officials anticipate that the road to the Windy Ridge viewpoint will reopen later this month.

Forest Road 25 connecting Randle to the Lewis River Highway (Forest Road 90 east of Cougar) was to open Wednesday. A one lane bridge at Benham Creek, south of Randle, will help visitors around a slide that occurred this past winter, allowing for access to the east side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and other parts of the forest.

Among the major campgrounds open for weekend are: Adams Fork, southeast of Randle; Big Creek, southeast of Ashford; Iron Creek, south of Randle; and La Wis Wis, east of Packwood.

The News Tribune