Mount St. Helens - Monitor Ridge
1 week ago
Snow-free but watch for wind
4 this month · 61 reports
Ape Caves
South Cascades
updated 1 week ago
Ape Caves offers a unique underground adventure with the lower section being more straightforward and heavily trafficked. The upper section presents a more challenging and technical experience, involving scrambling over rocks and navigating uneven terrain in complete darkness. Recent reports from August 1, 2026 and July 22, 2026 indicate significant, potentially dangerous cave-ins in the upper tube, making it difficult and hazardous to navigate, with rockfalls and large gaps. While the road access and snow-free conditions are consistently good across reports from July 18, 2026 to September 12, 2026, caution is strongly advised for the upper trail due to these reported hazards.
Generated from 18 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Ape Caves
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Recent reports from July 22, 2026 and August 1, 2026 describe significant cave-ins and hazardous rockfalls in the upper tube, making it difficult and potentially dangerous to navigate. It is recommended to be extremely cautious or avoid the upper trail altogether due to these reported hazards.
Yes, the lower section of Ape Caves is described as straightforward and suitable for families with children, with visitors from September 6, 2026 having a great time. It is still advised to wear sturdy shoes with good grip as mentioned in a report from September 6, 2026.
Headlamps are highly recommended for both sections of the cave, as they keep your hands free for climbing and navigating. Dressing in warm layers is also advised, as the cave temperature is consistently cool, around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, with high humidity as noted in reports from September 6, 2026 and August 8, 2026.
All recent reports from July 18, 2026 to September 12, 2026 indicate that the road is suitable for all vehicles. Parking is available, with one report from September 6, 2026 mentioning the parking lot is a few hundred yards beyond the entrance, past a dead-end road sign.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
We had a reservation for 1pm and arrived around 12:45pm. We learned that you just need 1 ticket per car (we thought it was per person, so we had bought 2 tickets. We ended up donating our second ticke...
Recent2 weeks ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
The parking lot is to the right just a few hundred yards beyond the entrance. If you see the dead end road sign, you’ve already gone too far and that dead end road goes for miles and miles. Ask me how...
Recent2 weeks ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
We did the upper portion with our 4 and 7 year old and we all had a great time. The only time I assisted my boys was at the mid point where the 8' wall is. I lifted them up a bit and they scurried up ...
Recent2 weeks ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
My first cave hike in Washington State! I really enjoyed it. I managed to hike all the trails in one day. There are both narrow and wide sections.If you’re planning to come here, make sure to wear stu...
Recent2 weeks ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
Much cave, very darkThe lower side is really straight forward and heavily trafficked. The upper side is where the fun begins. A lot of different spots to branch out without getting too lost. Watch you...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
Dark, Creepy and Cool! This is on my list of "It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time" hikes. Most of my hikes end up on this list because although I think I am an intermediate/ expert hiker, I complai...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
For anyone considering the upper trail, don’t let the sign describing it as a “difficult walk” lull you into a false sense of security. In my opinion, that description significantly understates what y...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
TL;DR - The "Upper tube" of Ape Caves should be closed to human traffic, or at least DEEPLY warned against, because sometime in the last year there have been significant cave-ins.I have good, sturdy, ...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
Went on the upper cave trail. Lots of scrambling over slippery/wet boulders, and there was one point where it took two other people helping me in order to pass a quite steep part on rope. If you’re lo...
Older3 months ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
TL;DR: Layers, two light sources and gloves (especially for the upper cave) are a must. The ladder for the 8 ft. wall in the upper cave was not there making navigating it, especially solo, a bigger ...