Helens Fest

From Evergreen Trail Guide

Helens Fest is three days of complete mountain biking goodness! One day of trail work will be accompanied by two days of riding the unique landscape and enjoying the spectacular views offered by Mount Saint Helens.

Hosted by Northwest Trails Alliance and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance in conjunction with the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mount St. Helens Institute

HELENS FEST 2013 DETAILS

Dates/Schedule

Friday: Jul 26 Ride day -discover the little known trails on the west side of Mt. St. Helens
Saturday: Jul 27 Volunteer day -trail work party
Sunday: Jul 28 Ride day -possibly explore the newly designated IMBA epic Ape Canyon and Smith Creek trails? Other options will also be available.

Location

Marble Mountain Sno*Park on the south side of Mt. St. Helens. Directions to Marble Mountain Sno*Park can be found on this page or on Bing Maps.

Cost

Attendance at Helens Fest is FREE! However, you are required to have a Northwest Forest Pass.

SIGN UP

OR residents, please sign up on the Northwest Trails Alliance calendar
WA reisdents, please sign up on the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance calendar
residents of other states may sign up at either site, but not both

CONTACT

Please direct questions regarding Helens Fest to helensfest2011@evergreenmtb.org

You may also want to visit our Helens Fest IV (2013) page on Facebook.

THE RIDES

The rides schedule has not yet been finalized since trail conditions after this winter could impact our ride plans for the event.

Ride Preferences

We are still planning the specifics of the Helens Fest 2013 rides and we'd like to hear your trail preferences. Please visit the Helens Fest IV (2013) page or email helensfest2011@evergreenmtb.org to submit your suggestions.

Ride Leaders

We are currently looking for ride leaders. If you are interested in leading a ride please send us an email at helensfest2011@evergreenmtb.org with “Ride Leader” in the subject line.

Tentative Ride Schedule

Friday Jul 26, 2013:

Butte Camp. Toutle/SheepCanyon/Loowit/Butte Camp Trails. Leader: TBD
Ape Canyon. Ape Canyon, Plains of Abraham, Windy Ridge and back. Leader: TBD
Smith Creek. Smith Creek Epic. Leader: TBD
Craggy Peak. Wright Meadow to Craggy Peak and back. Black diamond ride. Leader: TBD

Sunday Jul 28, 2013. Riding will be centered around the newly designated IMBA epic Ape Canyon and Smith Creek trails. We are also anticipating rides being held on Siouxon, Butte Camp, Lewis River and others, including a possible gonzo ride for hard core riders.

Lewis River. Lewis River. Leader: TBD.
Ape Canyon. Ape Canyon, Plains of Abraham, Windy Ridge and back. Leader: TBD.
Smith Creek. Smith Creek Epic. Leader: TBD.
Butte Camp. Toutle/SheepCanyon/Loowit/Butte Camp Trails. Leader: TBD
Ghost Lake. Elk Pass to Ghost Lake and Beyond!. Leader: TBD. Might still have snow here.
Beginners ride, location TBD. Leader: TBD

THE WORK PARTY

Saturday's trail work party will be a chance to give back to the trails we love. More information to come!

Safety Meeting

Attendance at the safety meeting in the morning is required for all attendees. You will not be permitted to work, nor will you be eligible for a volunteer day pass, if you have not signed in acknowledging that you have attended the safety meeting.

BOB Trailers Needed

Sharp tools such as Mcleod or grub hoe will be carried by BOB trailer, NOT by bike. If you have a BOB trailer that you are willing to bring, please let us know at helensfest2011@evergreenmtb.org.

CAMPING DETAILS

Marble Mountain Snow Park is back country camping. You must bring all the necessary gear and supplies to be self-sufficient for three days. There is NO running water on site.

Amenities on site

There are two toilets. Again, there is NO running water.

RVs

RVs are allowed in the Marble Mountain Sno*Park parking lot, provided that they are parked away from tent camping areas. Sounds tend to travel a long way from the parking lot, so please do as much as you can (short of enclosing it) to deflect the noise from RV generators and air conditioners away from the tent camping areas.

Noise

Out of respect for others, noisy RV air conditioners and portable generators must be shut off by 10 PM.

Northwest Forest Pass

You may choose to purchase an year pass for $30 or a couple of day passes for $5 per day.

If you go the daily pass route, plan on buying two: one for Friday and one for Sunday. A volunteer day pass will be provided for Saturday after you've checked in for trail work.
Forest Passes are available at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, at Ape Cave, or online at the Forest Service web site.

PACKING LISTS

These packing lists are only suggestions. Bring everything you will need for three days in the back country.

Camping gear

personal first aid kit (along with any daily medications you may need including an EpiPen if you have severe allergies)
Water & water carrier for at least three days time. There is no potable water at campsite. Bring enough water to drink on the trail, to cook and clean, and possibly to shower.
Food for 4 days (number of days expected + 1)
food storage (you may want something to keep food in to protect it from mice). Cooler with ice for perishables.
toilet paper. There are two toilets at camp site. Bring a trowel or small shovel if you don't want to wait in line.
biodegradable soap
extra clothes (be prepared for heat during the day, and colder nights)
compass
flashlight w/extra batteries
sun protection (a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
shelter (tent, sleeping bag/pad, emergency blanket)
fire (stove for cooking, matches, lighter, other fire starters...always have at least one!)
knife, cooking utensils such as pots, plates, coffee mug, bowl, etc.
insect repellent (for mosquitoes and flies)
Camp chair
Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper

Biking gear

It is expected that you already know what to bring to be self sufficient biking in the back country, below may be simple reminder, some gear for the ride yet some may be left at camp.

Helmet! This is mandatory, you will not be allowed to ride without one.
Bike. Be sure it is in proper working order before you reach the trail head! Please clean your bike if reasonably possible to help prevent spread of weed seeds.
Two way radio. Optional, but if you have it, please bring it.
Bike lock and cable.
Mini multi tool, spare chain links.
Spare inner tube(1 or 2 in pack recommended), patch kit, pump
Day pack.
GPS (optional)
Food, plenty of water, possibly minerals if extra hot. I use Nuun, but your preferences may differ.
Gloves.
Camera (optional, but you know you want to)
Two or more changes of bike clothes for multi day riding
Some people like to have in their car extra spokes, derailleur hanger, derailleur, cables, brake pads, chain oil and cleaning supplies, etc. Spare parts are up to your discretion, but most importantly be sure your bike is working properly.

Work party gear

Eye Protection! Sunglasses or safety glasses as appropriate. Don't let sticks and stones get in your eyes, please.
day pack (to carry basic items for our trips from camp to our work sites)
long pants. Required if using digging tools.
long-sleeved shirt (reccomended for brushing)
leather boots with sturdy soles
leather work gloves
helmet or hard hat (we will provide hard hats).
Tools will be provided.

HELENS FEST SPONSORS

Become a Helens Fest Sponsor

Support fun and responsible trail riding by sponsoring Helens Fest 2011! Please send us an email at helensfest2011@evergreenmtb.org for more details.

DIRECTIONS TO CAMPGROUND

The campsite will be the Marble Mountain Snow Park. Directions assume coming from Seattle area but should be fine if coming from Portland. You can use Bing Maps to get driving directions.

Take I-5 South, follow exit#21 to get on Hwy 503 towards Woodland / Cougar.
Follow Hwy 503 / Lewis River Rd for 28 miles to town of Cougar. (so far, this should take 3hr 20 minutes, distance so far is 180 miles).
Past Cougar, Hwy 503 / Lewis River Rd becomes FS Rd#90.
Turn left on FS Rd#83 and follow for 6 miles to Marble Mountain Campsite, which will be on the left.

RESOURCES

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

The National Volcano Monument has a few emergency telephones scattered around. See the map above for the telephone symbol. Decide whether to call for help or to go to the nearest hospital listed below.

Fairly close to Marble Mt is by the Ape Cave Headquarters.
Near to Wright Meadow (lower trailhead) is the Fire and Rescue Station on NF-90. If you call, you may need to wait, there have been reports of people calling and giving up, so they arrive to find nobody there.
Right next to the fire and rescue center is the Burger Buggy General Store. They likely have a satellite phone, give them a try if they are open.
Pine Creek Info Station. If they are open, they can help.
Swift Forest Camp reportedly has an emergency phone and/or repeater. This is located 0.2 miles west (left turn from NF-90), just past the Pine Creek Info Station.
One is at Windy Ridge, by the restrooms.

Options for Medical facilities:

North, 80 miles, 1 hr 45 mins - Morton General Hospital, 521 Adams St, Morton, WA. (360) 496-3531
West, 73 miles, 1 hr 45 min drive - Saint John Medical Center, 1615 Delaware St, Longview, WA (360) 414-2000
South, 2 hrs 10 mins - Skyline Hospital, 211 Skyline Drive, White Salmon, WA 509 493-1101
South, 1 hrs 15 mins - Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital 2211 NE 139th St, Vancouver, WA 98686(360) 487-1000
South 64 miles 1 hr 25 mins - Southwest Washington Medical Center, 400 N.E. Mother Joseph Place, Vancouver, WA 98664 (360) 256-2000
West, 41 miles, 1 hr - Mountain View Medical, 101 NW 12th Avenue, Ste 107, Battle Ground, WA 98604, (360) 666-8418
West, 40 miles, 1 hr - Urgent Care Woodland, 1251 Lewis River Rd, Woodland, WA 98674, (360) 226-4310