"Ape Cave? What do you mean we are going into an... ape cave?" Wide eyes stared at us from our youngers as we got ready for our caving expedition.
We shared a bit of the legend surrounding the name of the caves just to stir up the imagination a little but then our oldest chimed in, "There can't really be any apes in there because this isn't their habitat..." and on he went to logically bring his younger siblings to order. After all, he didn't want scared siblings to stop us from caving.
Caving is an exciting experience (in our opinion) and it's a fascinating way to cover volcanoes and other geology related topics.
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So, in case you haven't gone caving yet, here is some info. to help you be prepared.
Also, some guy tried to sneak in while wearing flip flops and he was sent away because,
well really, they aren't sturdy footwear. The cave floor is slippery in spots and has jagged
rocks as well and flip flops just don't cut it. On the other hand, another guy had a foot in a big,
thick cast and crutches and he did just fine in the cave (with sturdy footwear on his other foot)!
thick cast and crutches and he did just fine in the cave (with sturdy footwear on his other foot)!
{Ape Cave is on the south side of Mt. St. Helens.}
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The upper cave area is difficult to walk around in and is quite the obstacle course!
Cavers end up climbing over 27 large boulder piles and scale an 8 foot high lava fall.
Needless to say, we didn't explore the upper cave this time around.
Cavers end up climbing over 27 large boulder piles and scale an 8 foot high lava fall.
Needless to say, we didn't explore the upper cave this time around.
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Thankfully, the tour is given from the lower cave entrance.
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Now, plenty of lanterns were provided by the Ranger for use on the tour.
This was great because it helped to disperse the light kind of evenly among the group
as everyone followed in a somewhat single file line.
(We'll come back to the lanterns later on...)
(We'll come back to the lanterns later on...)
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Here is the lower cave entrance. Both hubby and I were packing
our younger two and we made it down the staircase without issues.
Naturally, you need to watch your footing carefully! It's wet and can be slippery.
our younger two and we made it down the staircase without issues.
Naturally, you need to watch your footing carefully! It's wet and can be slippery.
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Before we could get down to learning and exploring, our guide
shared some of the local folklore about Sasquatch.
If you have younger kids with very active imaginations or think things like this may be scary,
If you have younger kids with very active imaginations or think things like this may be scary,
you may want to prepare them ahead of time for this presented image.
For starters, we learned about White Nose.
Poor little bats.
For starters, we learned about White Nose.
Poor little bats.
We need bats. They serve a great purpose for us people by eating tons of insects.
Let's do what we can to help keep our bats healthy.
Let's do what we can to help keep our bats healthy.
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Hooray! Now we get to begin our adventure!
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Almost immediately, it starts to get dark.
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All staircases are equipped with railing.
FYI: if someone in your family is squeamish about heights,
they ought to be prepared about these stairs. They are very sturdy stairs,
FYI: if someone in your family is squeamish about heights,
they ought to be prepared about these stairs. They are very sturdy stairs,
however, you can see way below you through the steps. Also, when you look
over the railing, you can see that it's a ways down.
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See the wood off to the left side?
Those are from the original ladder which was used
Those are from the original ladder which was used
by the people who first explored this cave!
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Our guide took us to the base of the upper cave for starters.
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We learned about two different types of lava flow...
both took place in this very cave.
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One type of lava flow causes rope-like patterns.
The effect is much better in person.
The effect is much better in person.
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The other type caused these ridges up higher within the cave.
So interesting!
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What's that white stuff?
Do you know how important it is?
Do you know why you shouldn't touch it?
Hmmmm.....
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Next, we followed our guide down to a portion of the lower cave.
What are these formations called?
How did they get there?
What are these formations called?
How did they get there?
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What IS that critter?
{How big can it get?}
Um... how often has it been seen in the cave?
What is so unique about it?
Um... how often has it been seen in the cave?
What is so unique about it?
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Oh! More creatures...
And so how often are they seen in the cave?
Potential Spoiler
{Non-critter loving people, they aren't seen all that often in the cave. So go exploring!}
And so how often are they seen in the cave?
Potential Spoiler
{Non-critter loving people, they aren't seen all that often in the cave. So go exploring!}
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What are those marks from?
They aren't from Sasquatch (as the guide jested).
What? They disappear and come back at certain times?
Hmmm
Okay, now we are getting back to the lanterns. We didn't rent one because we had the (MIS)understanding that the cave tour meant the whole cave; this caused us to think that we'd have a lantern with us the whole exploration and that we saved money!
Ha! After we learned about the critters, the guide headed back up and she took all the lanterns with her. All except for one, and that was an extra one that she went ahead and let the gentlemanith the bad foot use (well, someone in his group carried if for him).
What? They disappear and come back at certain times?
Hmmm
Okay, now we are getting back to the lanterns. We didn't rent one because we had the (MIS)understanding that the cave tour meant the whole cave; this caused us to think that we'd have a lantern with us the whole exploration and that we saved money!
Ha! After we learned about the critters, the guide headed back up and she took all the lanterns with her. All except for one, and that was an extra one that she went ahead and let the gentlemanith the bad foot use (well, someone in his group carried if for him).
So, we were left with hanging out with the lantern group or pressing forward with the
flashlights we brought.
We ventured forward...
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There's a certain stretch of cave floor
which has an interesting name to it...
which has an interesting name to it...
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(This is looking upward.)
How did this boulder get wedged there?
They call it what funny name???
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We made it!
We think caving is a great experience on multiple levels
(aside from the *academic* perspective).
It allows for family members to stretch themselves,
work past fears they may have, build teamwork and trust,
and to have some fun!
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| © LG 2012 |
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| © LG 2012 |
Back at Ape's Headquarters, some of us got stamped.
So, do you think your family may visit the Ape Caves? Why or why not?
Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions.
Cost:
*$5 daily day-use fee (plus Washington's tax... so it's roundabout $5.40)
*$5 daily day-use fee (plus Washington's tax... so it's roundabout $5.40)
*There is a fee to rent one of the park's lanterns.
Important:
*Needless to say, a cave isn't really stroller or wheel chair friendly.
*Bring 3 sources of light. The park recommends a Coleman lantern which offers ample light to view cave features and your footing. They also recommend a flashlight with strong batteries and then another flashlight for back-up light. We think LED flashlights are best for this type of exploring.
*Wear sturdy shoes or boots!
*Warm clothing is a must! It's like 42 degrees F in there year round.
*Do not go alone and let someone know where you went!
*Ape's Headquarters has a gift shop with average souvenirs. Although, their shipment of Ape Cave postcards hadn't come in with the regular Mt. St. Helen's postcards when we visited.
*It's a good idea to have a first aid kit with you in case anyone does get hurt on rocks. Just remember to collect all of your wrappers to throw away when you get out of the cave.
*There are puddles here and there in the cave but you can walk around them for the most part (some kids just want to get their shoes wet in puddles no matter where they are. It's advisable not to let them do so in the cave!)
*There are puddles here and there in the cave but you can walk around them for the most part (some kids just want to get their shoes wet in puddles no matter where they are. It's advisable not to let them do so in the cave!)
Restrooms: Average pit toilets available...
Extras:
Go here to read their regulations and to learn more.
Go here to read their regulations and to learn more.
Offered:
Year round.
When snow comes, a sno-park pass is required and cavers must walk/snowshoe. Can you imagine going in the snow and wearing snowshoes to the cave?! Sounds fun!(Wonder if the pit toilets would be available then... or maybe toilets at the sno-park would be available. Something you may want to look into!)
Passes can be purchased at the store in Cougar and also at Johnston Ridge Observatory. The annual pass also admits one to Johnston Ridge Observatory.
Ages: All Ages (except for the Upper Cave portion... that's not good for small children).
{On the Way Up to the Ape Caves...}
Do you know someone built a mini replica of the Golden Gate Bridge? |
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The bridge goes over a pond which leads to someone's home, so you don't walk on it.
It's neat to see and admire though.
We learned about it here.
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There's a really neat sub to see in their yard, too!
Anyway, just thought I'd share a little something extra to see.
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