With Ape Cave reopening and having gone recently we decided to go back straight away because of all the fun we had. There is a sense of accomplishment there with having gone over so many boulder fields in the dark and with climbing an 8 ft rock wall that we really enjoy the workout and the experience is unlike any other hikes we have done. This time we changed it up and did only the upper cave (the part with all the climbing) and then decided to hike the Mt St Helens viewpoint trail after. Its trailhead is next to the gift shop and we hadn’t done it before. It is nice to change it up! The trail is a continuous climb to the viewpoint and is a mile long. When you get there the view is amazing, and the hike back is quick as it is then all downhill.
One of many boulder fields to climb in the upper cave.
This place lets you know you are nearing the end of the cave
The ferns on the trail to the St Helens viewpoint were amazing at this spot.
St Helens in all her glory.
A second look as I plan on painting this!