Ape Cave Interpretive Site

Category:	Park,
Address:	Cougar, WA 98616, USA
Postal code:	98616
Phone:	(360) 891-5000
Website:	http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mountsthelens/recarea/?recid=40393

Monday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday:	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM

• 
  (August 19, 2022, 7:30 pm)

  One of the top hikes I’ve ever done hands down. Went through Upper Section again for the second time in the last year but with more of an intent on getting photos this time. Here are some of the highlights. See my previous review of Ape Caves for a more technical verbal description.

• 
  (August 16, 2022, 1:15 pm)

  this park has a good 1.5-mile hike through the forest that's reasonably easy and an awesome 2.25-mile hike through a cave (lava tube) that's a lot less easy. be ready for complete darkness and piles of large rocks that you have to climb over and, if you go to (or from) the upper entrance, you'll have to deal with a couple of places where you have to go up or down a rock wall about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. if you want to start the underground hike from the upper entrance, be careful not to pass it; it's easy to miss. it's near the sign wooden sign pointing to the parking lot, and it's a small hole in the ground with metal stairs that you can't see from the top until you're almost on top of them. i've enjoyed the underground hike a few times.

• 
  (August 12, 2022, 1:35 am)

  Highly recommend this hike. Bring a spare headlamp and a first aid kit. The lower section is simple and easy. The upper section is absolutely amazing but had lots of climbing over large rock and Boulder mounds. Total time for entire hike is about 2.5 hrs so have extra headlamp

• 
  (August 11, 2022, 9:06 pm)

  Very dark...if you turn off your flashlight. Some parts are challenging, others very easy to navigate. BE SURE to have a reliable light and a spare or go with someone that has another light. There are NO lights or rangers to help you. If your light goes out, wait for someone to come along that has a light.

• 
  (June 3, 2022, 10:49 am)

  Ape cave is definitely worth the trip! It can be a little out of the way depending on your itinerary but it's well worth it!
  It's a self lead cave tour that's not artificially light. So make sure to bring some flashlights, head lamps would definitely be useful especially if you are want to go through the more challenging path. Also the cave can be wet with water dripping from the ceiling so bring a hat if you prefer.
  The more challenging path is about 1.5 miles and has you climbing up and down boulders (total of 27 sets that take about 10-15 min each) so you will definitely need you hands so bring a head lamp so you don't drop your light. After your cave hike you hike in the woods to get back, so a total of about 3 miles.
  The easier path is about 1.5 miles total (there and back) and has you climbing up and down and few steps, and at some point it's a little uneven path, but for the most part is rather flat. Ape cave is worth the trip for it's great views!

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