Ape Canyon Trail [Mt St Helens, Washington]

After a wet winter thats extended into mid-July here in the mountains, it had been hard to find open trails around many Cascade peaks throughout the Northwest. Spending another summer as a ranger on Mt. St. Helens gives me the excuse to hike to access trail conditions for visitors. Today's adventure brought my hiking partner Sarah and I to the Ape Canyon trail on the south side of Mt. St. Helens.

My second time on the trail proved as good as the first. Ape Canyon trailhead is located at the end of Forest Road 83 in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The parking lot is unmarked, but is on the left just before the sign for Lava Canyon trailhead. The trail is 5.5 miles up the flank of the mountain. It starts out on an old, forested lava dome and snakes its way through noble firs and hemlocks on the side of the Muddy River, where a lahar swept through the forest during the 1980 eruption, creating a barren moonscape. It ascends the south flank through old growth forest at a steady grade, occasionally switch-backing. The trail emerges through tree-line after about 5 miles, and another .5 mile to the junction of the Loowit trail terminates Ape Canyon trail with a fantastic view of Mt. St. Helens...if its a nice day.

The trail gains 1300ft in elevation and is a moderate hike. Ape Canyon trail is also popular among mountain bikers, so be aware, especially if it is a nice day! This is a nice forested trail to gain access to the mountain, and ample opportunities to see wildlife and a dramatic volcanic landscapes created by Loowit's eruption in 1980. Though we had few options of decent trails to hike with so many of our roads closed, Ape Canyon is worth it, regardless of weather, as you will always feel like you are much smaller than the mountain barreling upwards beside you.

Overview:

Ape Canyon Trail

Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Forest Road 83

5.5 miles, one-way uphill

Moderate Hike