St. Helens Ape Cave Hike
Ape Cave Lava Tube Hike - Trail 239
The Ape Caves were
formed about 2,000 years ago when basaltic lava came pouring out of Mount St.
Helens. As the flow proceeded, the surface cooled, forming a crust. The lava
underneath the crust continued moving through the tube for months. When the
eruption finally ceased, it left a 13,042-foot lava tube.
The full
experience at Ape Cave includes the easy exploration of a spacious lava tube,
followed by more difficult travel through a smaller, longer, and more rugged
lava tube to an exit. Then, enjoy an easy return hike winding through shady
forest and crusty lava formations.
The temperature is
a constant 42 degrees F. The ceilings are drippy, and there may be puddles.
Bring 2 or 3 light sources and spare batteries. No cave can ever be considered
completely safe. A short distance
from the parking lot, enter the large cave entrance and descend two staircases
to the floor of the cave and the signed junction between Upper and Lower.
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Restrictions:
No food, pets, smoking
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Lave
Tube Length: 13,042 feet long (about 2.4 miles)
·
Ape
Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America
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Location:
Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington
·
Mount
St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
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Trail Head:
Mount St. Helen's - Ape Caves Trail-head
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Lower
Cave 0.8-mile hike
·
Upper
Cave 1.5-mile hike
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Elevation
Change: 400' Elevation gain
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Season:
Year Round
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Parking
Pass/Entry Fee - Northwest Forest Pass
·
Complete
darkness
·
Dripping
Water and blowing breezes
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Click
here to see more information on Ape Cave National Volcanic Monument
Lower Ape Cave
Hike: It's a broad lava tube that descends gently to its end. The floor is flat
(though a bit uneven at first), then sandy later on, from a mud flow that
filled the lower portion centuries ago. The end of the cave now is where the
sand has filled in to within a couple feet of the ceiling. The Lower Cave is an
easy walk, for a 1.5-mile round trip, that houses a popular geologic anomaly
known as the Meatball.
Upper Ape Cave Hike: It's a 1.5 rugged miles one way, requiring significantly more time and caution
to hike. This unique hike up an ancient lava tube takes you over many piles of
sharp cutting lave boulders. About 2/3 of the way up this hike you will come to
an 8-foot wall. Be warned, that the climb up this wall is not easy. This route
requires good scrambling ability.
While follow the
trail, eventually you will come to a place where there is a hole in the ceiling
of this cave. From that point it is only a short walk to the iron ladder that
will take you out of the lava tube and place you firmly on the top, where you
just follow the clearly marked path back to the point where you began this
adventure.
Driving Directions:
From I-5 exit 21, travel north and east on State Route 503 (Lewis River Road).
At 23 miles from the freeway, continue straight on Spur 503. At 31 miles, Spur
503 becomes Forest Road 90. Cross a bridge over a canal, then 2.6 miles later,
turn left on FR 83. Travel 1.7 miles then turn left on FR 8303. Travel the
final mile to the parking lot and Ape Headquarters Center. The parking lot has
room for 50-60 vehicles, including bus and RV spots. There are vault toilets
and garbage cans, but no drinking water. When it’s open, Ape Headquarters
Center offers rental lanterns.
Address : Ape Caves, Cougar, WA 98616, USA
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