Are dogs allowed on Ape Cave Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Ape Cave Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Ape Cave Trail?

No, Ape Cave Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Ape Cave Trail?

Ape Cave Trail is rated moderate. It is 3.0 miles long with 571 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Washington trail conditions

ModerateOut and Back

Washington

Ape Cave Trail

Cougar, Washington

3.0 mi

Distance

571 ft

Elev. Gain

1h 13m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

The road leading to the trailhead may be closed due to snow. This route involves moving through small spaces.

From Wikipedia

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a U.S. National Monument that includes the area around Mount St. Helens in Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania Counties, Washington. It was established by Congress on August 27, 1982, following the 1980 eruption. The 110,000 acre (445 km2) National Volcanic Monument was set aside for research, recreation, and education. Inside the monument, the environment is left to respond naturally to the disturbance. It was the third national monument to be managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:622 ft

Max:753 ft

174 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

No reviews yet

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context