Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
1,549.00 ft (472.14 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
9.60 mi (15.45 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Ape Canyon hike, not to be confused with Ape Caves, is one of the most spectacular hikes in the Mount St. Helens area. The canyon was named for an alleged Bigfoot encounter in the 1920s: supposedly, the creature was throwing rocks at miners in the area, though it was later discovered that the Sasquatch was a local youth in a costume.

The trailhead can be found just before the parking lot for Lava Canyon, and the hike is a great opportunity to experience the unique and surreal landscape of the blast zone that was created when Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. About 500 feet into the hike there is a little bluff that will give hikers a chance to view Mount St. Helens and the gray and rust colored rocks that were formerly the upper slopes of the volcano.

The trail follows the ridge of a landslide that was triggered when Shoestring Glacier melted moments after Mount St. Helens erupted. The mudslide was contained within Muddy River, so the forest through which the trail winds was mostly unharmed. For the next 5 miles the trail climbs this ridge, winding through the old-growth forest and only gaining about 1,300 feet in elevation. Enjoy awesome views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and, of course, an increasingly intriguing perspective on Mount St. Helens.

The end of the forest and beginning of the blast zone is found about 4.4 miles into the hike at the head of Ape Canyon. Here, the 300-foot V-shaped mouth of Ape Canyon takes shape as Mount Adams can be seen in the distance. The intersection with Loowit Trail is just 0.2 miles further, but stay to the right to continue on the Ape Canyon Trail. Hiking across the desolation caused by the eruption is otherworldly. The trail becomes somewhat faint and can be lost under snow, but the area is open and easy to explore. Look for white mountain goats, as they frequently sunbathe on the treeless hillsides. After fording snow melt and crossing the pumice flatland known as the Plains of Abraham, find the end of the trail at the stream that trickles off of the cliff's southern edge.

 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

NW Forest Pass

Pros

Secluded. Great views of Mount St. Helens and the blast zone. Great views of the surrounding volcanoes.

Cons

No water source.

Trailhead Elevation

2,762.00 ft (841.86 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Geologically significant

Suitable for

Biking

Location

Nearby Adventures

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Washington, Southwest Washington/Mount St. Helens
Mount Saint Helens, Washington

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

06/11/2018
We love this hike! Ended up playing in the snow on The Plains of Abraham. Always Enjoyable!!!
07/29/2017
Wonderful day hiking at Mount St. Helens. Old growth forest was wonderful, but definitely think about bringing some insect repellant. We were getting mauled by black flies. That part wasn't fun. They let up when we got closer to the top and a stiff breeze kept them at bay. Picardin-based spray repellant only kinda worked. Go for DEET. Views at the top are wonderful. Continue to Plains of Abraham for more wildflowers and a clear stream that plunges over a cliff face. (picture from Plains of Abraham)
07/30/2017
Great overnight backpacking trip with stunning views of Adams, Hood, and Rainier. Saw a herd of mountain goats on the cliffs just a bit higher than Ape Canyon. Lots of mountain bikers.
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