TWO HIKERS point out a place where rock had fallen from the wall of the Upper Trail at Ape Cave on Saturday, March 15, 2014. The cave is believed to have been formed by lava from a prior eruption of Mount St. Helens. Photo courtesy of Christopher Brewer/cbrewer@chronline.com
A HIKE through Ape Cave in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument offers a view (when lit, of course) of some intricate rock formations. Photo courtesy of Christopher Brewer/cbrewer@chronline.com
One of the more dominant geographical landmarks of our region is Mt. St. Helens, the mystique of which continues to draw people to its slopes throughout the year.
But as visible as the mountain is from miles away, including Clark County, one of its more visually-interesting and awe-inspiring features lies underground in the form of a lava tube that was created as the result of a lava flow that far predates the blast of 1980.
The Ape Caves were discovered in the 1950s and even though the caves aren’t home to primates, as the name would suggest, an outdoor club known as the Mount St. Helens Apes toured the caves extensively, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest attraction was named after them.
The Ape Caves are popular with hikers and cave enthusiasts alike, and offer two routes one can choose from to tour. The lower cave is perfect for families with youngsters, but recently, this reporter focused on the upper cave, which offers a set of challenges over its 1.3-mile length.
Before venturing out to the caves, be mindful that you will need three things: a good pair of hiking boots, warm clothing and, most importantly, a bright headlamp. A headlamp is preferable over a flashlight as the cave is completely dark, and you will need to keep hands free while scrambling over rock fields.
The trail alternates between flat areas and sudden rock fields — caused by ceiling collapses — that one needs to navigate, and one portion of the trail includes an eight-foot lava fall that you must climb with footholds. If you’re part of a group, teamwork is key in this segment.
For the adventurous, several segments of the cave are home to side passages that one can crawl in and explore. They don’t lead anywhere, but for those who love caving, they’re an adventure of their own.
Over the length of the trail, visitors should make sure to stop and just admire where they are; some areas of the lava tube have an almost artful quality to them. Unfortunately, however, some people have taken it upon themselves to deface the rocks by carving messages into them.
In all, the upper trail can take anywhere from an hour to two or three to fully navigate safely. Once you’re through, a ladder takes you up to Ape Cave Trail 239. Follow that trail back to the main parking area.
Ape Cave is wonderful for a day-long excursion, and if you have time to spare after your hike, take advantage of the other offerings nearby such as Lava Canyon and the Sno-Parks in the area.
Christopher Brewer is a reporter for The Chronicle Newspaper in Centralia. He can be reached via email at cbrewer@chronline.com.
