Ape Cave

Celea McInerny
Mar 17, 2016
2 min read

What better way to honor St. Patrick's day than to surround yourself with fields of green! My brother and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather in Washington and got our butts off the couch to explore Ape Cave. I had never heard of this spot before, but once I started telling people about it, the majority had already visited. We left early morning and enjoyed the three hour sun-heated car ride towards Mt. Saint Helen's.

We stopped briefly at a McDonald's along the way to grab some grub and a traditional Shamrock shake. Once we arrived in the National Park, we were ooo-ing and awe-ing over the luscious green landscape and blue lakes. The last mile to Ape Cave was closed due to snow so we parked the car and walked the remaining distance. We also brought Mac along; he was so excited to run in the snow again, and especially to have Alec there! Alec struggled a little bit with the hike, but Mac and I ran back and forth visiting him along the way.

Once we got to the trailhead I noticed a giant hole in the ground and came to realize it was the entrance to the cave. Mac was scared of the black hole, so we put him in my backpack during the initial climb down. After we carefully maneuvered down the icy stairs, we realized the flash lights we had weren't adequate cave exploration tools. We took in the mossy beauty of the cave but I instantly felt afraid of the dark tunnel. The tunnel continued for over another mile. There was no way I could make it through that-I had never felt so scared before.

I was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to see the main entrance of the cave but I had no intention to crawl through a dark tunnel for an hour. While I was contemplating this decision, a group of mothers and their children walked up. Alec and I agreed we should ask for their opinion. That group had babies and toddlers with them, I am 22 and couldn't even work up the courage to enter the caves.

This attraction is commonly rated five stars and referred to as family friendly. I do not see how this is not challenging for people of all ages, but I believe I uncovered one of my only fears in life-ominous black caves. After a semi-regretful turn around to the car, Alec and I hung my Costco hammock up between some trees that overlooked the snowy forest ground. We enjoyed sights of Mt. Saint Helens, wildlife, and the overall joy Mac was having. It was an adventurous and challenging trip this week, but one my brother and I will cherish for a lifetime!