#April parks and rec 1950s full#

Leaving footprints where no one ever had, these explorers were able to travel through a pristine lava tube full of fragile formations. However, the cave was not explored until the early 1950's when a scout troop, led by Harry Reese, lowered a team of scouts down a 17-foot overhang to the cave floor.

General Notes:Īpe Cave was discovered in 1947 by a logger named Lawrence Johnson. A paved trail leads to the lower cave entrance, but gets rougher to reach the upper entrance. The parking lot and visitor area facilities are flat and paved. Drive approximately 1.5 miles, past Trail of Two Forest, Apes' Headquarters is located at Ape Cave on Forest Road 8303 on the left. Drive Forest Road 83 for 3 miles then turn left onto Forest Road 8303. Continue on Forest Road 90 to Forest Road 83, approximately 4 miles and turn left. Gifford Pinchot National Forest Offices/Visitor Centersįrom Woodland, WA take State Route 503 to Cougar WA then take Lewis River Road east for 2.8 miles.Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800 Please be advised the inside of cars get very hot during summer months. In order to protect the fragile cave environment, the following are prohibited inside Ape Cave: A timed reservation is also necessary and may be booked through starting April 15. $5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass. Fee tube available for payment on-site. Timed reservations are required to visit Ape Cave during the open season. Timed reservations are required and are available at. The above ground trail from the upper cave to the parking lot is snow free. Reservation System, Frequently Asked Questions: English, Spanish, Russian.Īccessible Adventures Video (Ape Cave description at 1:58) Reservation System: Timed reservations are required to visit Ape Cave during the open season: May 18 Cave through October 31. Choose a two-hour time slot for your desired day on ($2 admin fee). Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all that you bring with you. Help protect our bats and caves from White Nose Syndrome. Touching kills cave slime, a basis for the food chain of tiny creatures that live there. Help protect Ape Cave. Please do not touch cave walls or ceiling. For the more adventurous, the 1.5 mile upper cave route leads to a climb up an eight foot rock wall and scramble over rock piles, then an exit and a 1.5 mile above ground hike back to the parking lot.Īpe Cave is the third longest lava tube (2.5 miles long) in North America and cave temperature is 42 degrees F/5.6 degrees C year-round. Make sure to bring two sources of light per person (a cell phone light is not bright enough), sturdy shoes, warm clothing, even in warm weather. In summer, Ape Headquarters, a small information station, offers lantern rentals, information and sales items to ticket holders. The ¾ mile, one-way lower cave route is relatively easy and family friendly. A short, paved, accessible trail beneath towering trees leads to a stairwell into the cave. Explore a chilly, pitch-black lava tube over two miles long.