Day Hike - Ape Caves

Meet at the  Ape Headquarters Center at 3:00pm.  Be sure to obtain your Ape Caves permit (one per car) in advance for the 3:00pm time slot at 1-Day Ape Cave Tickets, Ape Cave Interpretive Site Ticket - Recreation.gov   Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful national parks pass or equivalent required. 

Directions from WTA: From I-5 exit 21, travel north and east on State Route 503 (Lewis River Road). At 23 miles from the freeway, continue straight on Spur 503. At 31 miles, Spur 503 becomes Forest Road 90. Cross a bridge over a canal, then 2.6 miles later, turn left on FR 83. Travel 1.7 miles then turn left on FR 8303. Travel the final mile to the parking lot and Ape Headquarters Center. The parking lot has room for 50-60 vehicles, including bus and RV spots. There are vault toilets and garbage cans, but no drinking water.  

This hike has special challenges including:

• It's underground in the dark in a lava tube - you must bring a light, preferably 2 to optimize your lighting
• Scrambling over rocks/boulders using hands and feet is necessary!
• Temperature underground is about 40 degrees
• Please read the full description of this hike from WTA.org to make sure it's a good fit for you: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ape-cave#hike-full-description