APE CAVE in MOUNT ST. HELENS
- Liz Schlereth
- Mar 16, 2020
- 4 min read
Just in case you haven't heard me say it before, THIS STATE IS BEAUTIFUL! I love everything about this Nature filled state. I know there are plenty of other places that are probably more beautiful, but for now I'm exploring in my back yard. Not really my back yard but I am literally an hour or so from the beach in one direction and in the other, we have the mountains.
In our case, it was a short hour and 14 minute drive from where we live. We quickly noticed that it was the same way we went to Mount St. Helens with my mom over Valentines Day weekend. I was so excited that we got to see how much a couple of weeks can make a difference in the weather.
(picture to the left)
Taken at Yale Park Boat Ramp off of the Lewis River Rd. Looking into the Yale Lake.
2/16/2020
The same exact spot as the one above just taken 29 days later. You can barley see the mountain ridges behind the fog but it's still beautiful!
3/13/2020
(picture on the right)
This is the first little stop that you will see on the way up the mountain. We went to visit during the winter so I can only imagine what it's like in the summer and fall. Don't worry, we will defiantly be back and I'll show the difference in the seasons.
Once you finish admiring this view, you'll have plenty to see on a 11.3 miles trip up the mountain!
This beautiful trip got a whole lot better when Portland was surprised with snow...of course its snowy in the mountains but they got an extra snow fall! I've only lived in the PNW for a little over two months now and I've already learned so much. I forgot or honestly never really knew that this was a volcano that erupted years/decades ago.
Don't worry your ALMOST there! After you see this sign on the right there is an opportunity to take a left turn and you'll see a sign for the APE CAVE!
Once you pull into the information center of the APE CAVE, you have to park your car because they have the rest of the way blocked off due to the amount of snow. The only thing your aloud to drive past the blocked point is a snow mobile! From your parked car...its about .8 mile walk to the actual APE CAVE.
In my opinion going to this cave in the winter was the best idea! I love the scenery and how it makes me feel. I've been noticing more and more that my soul feels free being in nature.
FINALLY
The main attraction! What we've all been waiting for...walking towards lol. You will NOT be disappointed in the little hike.
PSA*** if you are not used to dark and tight places I would definitely consider just going for the view because you can totally hike inside this cave! I was just so shocked and taken away by how this was just here in the earth...we read that we needed to bring flashlights and I am so glad we did. It was DARK! I was beyond terrified but eventually I pushed through it and started noticing what was around me.
Past this point, you had the option of either hiking up the cave or down the cave. The trail that lead up was a moderate hike, the one that lead down the mountain was a light hike. I was with two men...so of course we went up the mountain! I'm glad we did. I FACED my fears, hushed my anxiety and CALMED myself down all before I had a panic attack! I don't do the dark, I've watched too many movies where people get stuck, and the fear of the rocks maybe falling all went away when I started to pay attention to the scenery!
The FINISH LINE! I almost cried when we saw the stairs, only because of that almost little break down, the climbing of the rocks, small spaces, being in the dark, conquering my OWN MIND and THOUGHTS! I DID IT! It was a beautiful experience visibly and emotionally! We quickly figured out the hour hike up the cave was an hour back to the car, but we got a beautiful reward on the way back!
The walk back was literally a scene from NARNIA! All of the trees were covered, birds were chirping and the sun was poking through the snow clouds.
If you honestly get a chance to visit the PNW, DO IT! You wont regret it's peacefulness!
THINGS YOU'LL NEED FOR THIS HIKE :
WATER - If you have a camel back this is a great way to keep your hands free.
FLASH LIGHT & BATTERIES - They weren't playing when they said it's DARK in the cave. Just in case, bring extras!
BOOTS / SHOES WITH A GRIP - The hike includes a lot of climbing up and down fallen rocks. The grip will help with the traction on the rocks, its wet from the ground above.
GLOVES - These will help you grab on to things that will help you get up the rocks.
DRESS FOR THE SEASON - Make sure to stay warm if you go during the summer. The cave stays 42 degrees ALL YEAR LONG, but also has breezes throughout the cave. Keep in mind once you start hiking and climbing, you might get sweaty!
SNACKS - You never know, you might get hungry and need the extra energy to keep going! After all you will be underground for at least an hour or how ever long it takes you to get to the end!
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