About the Spirit Lake Relocation Association (SLRA)
Our History
The Spirit Lake Relocation Association (SLRA) is the steward of a unique legacy born from the ashes of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. We are the community of owners residing in the cabins south of the mountain—homes built on ground that represents a hard-won victory for 35 original families who refused to let their connection to this landscape be buried.
Our History: From the Red Zone to Marble Mountain.
Before the 1980 blast, our predecessors were the seasonal residents of Spirit Lake. They were part of a vibrant community of lodge owners and cabin dwellers on the mountain’s north side. On May 17, 1980, just one day before the eruption, many of these owners were famously granted a final, high-risk escort into the "Red Zone" to retrieve what they could. By 8:32 the next morning, their original homes were gone, buried under hundreds of feet of volcanic debris.
A Legacy of Resilience
In the aftermath, the Spirit Lake Relocation Association was formed to advocate for the displaced. Led by figures like Roy Ford, the SLRA fought a dedicated legal and bureaucratic battle with the U.S. Forest Service. Rather than accepting a standard cash settlement, the association negotiated a rare "land-for-land" exchange. This agreement allowed the families to move their lives and their traditions to the south side of the volcano, primarily near Marble Mountain and the Olympic and Wenatchee National Forests.
The SLRA Today
Today’s SLRA members are the successors of that grit and determination. We live and recreate in the shadow of the mountain, maintaining the cabins that were built as symbols of recovery.
Our mission is to:
- Preserve the history of the original Spirit Lake cabin owners.
- Maintain our unique community within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- Respect the land that was granted to us through the resilience of the original 35.
We aren't just cabin owners; we are the keepers of a story about a community that refused to be erased by one of the greatest natural disasters in American history.
Helpful Links
Connect with your neighbors! Our directory includes phone numbers and emails for cabin owners, including their cabin lot numbers.
Access important documents and forms related to our HOA, including bylaws, and covenants. Stay informed about the rules and regulations that govern our community.
Find helpful resources for off-grid cabin owners, including tips for home maintenance, landscaping, and energy efficiency. Learn how to make your home more comfortable and cost-effective.
Learn more about our HOA Board members and their roles in our community. Find out how to attend board meetings, submit feedback, and get involved in the decision-making process.
Get involved in our community by volunteering for one of our committees or events. Meet new people, make a difference in your community, and have fun at the same time!
Online Payments - COMING SOON!
Yearly Dues
Yearly dues go toward maintaining and repairing the pump house, generator, water tank, propane tank, water testing fees, snow plowing to the culvert and road maintenance in addition to a fund for emergencies.
Snow Grooming Donation
These donations are optional, and go directly to fuel, parts, and maintenance for any grooming in addition to the plowing up to the culvert.