Overview

Hype:

Ape Cave is a lava tube located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest just to the south of Mount St. Helens. Its passageway is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental United States and the third longest (in total mapped length) lava tube in North America at 2.5 miles. The cave was formed approximately 1,900 years ago, is situated at an average depth of 50 feet below ground, and the air temperature remains a constant 42 degrees throughout the year. The cave system takes its moniker from a local Boy Scout troop, named the Mount St. Helens Apes, who undertook subsequent explorations of the tube after its discovery. Ape Cave is a popular hiking destination with beautiful views of the Mount St. Helens lahar region. Ape Cave Trail No. 239, which runs along the interior of the cave, is a National Recreation Trail receiving 170,000 visitors each year.

Cave Type: Horizontal

Time: 1-2 hours

Length: 2.5 miles mapped length

Depth: Negligible

Gear: Light sources, warm clothing, good footware

Fees: Admission

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Features:

Caves
National Trail
Headlamps required
Marked Trails
Road Access is Paved
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
Volcanoes

Permits: Gated

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_St._Helens_National_Volcanic_Monument

Getting There

Navigate to 46.108160, -122.211608.

Location

Closest City or Region: Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument

Coordinates: 46.109660, -122.211370

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July 10, 2023 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Greg Dye, Laura Dye, Anthony Dye, Arianne Dye, Miller Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Jaren Wagner, Killian Wagner, Calliope Wagner,

Story

We got all loaded up in the cars and drove up to Ape Cave. We all hiked the lower cave and then had a picnic lunch. The kids and some of the more agile adults had fun squeezing through the tight section at the end of the tunnel. We didn't have time to do the upper cave and several of the group weren't feeling up for it anyway.