Volcano Travel · Tour
Twelve Hours at Mount St Helens: Ape Cave, 357 Steps and Four Stratovolcanoes
Twelve hours, all-inclusive, and a guide who covers the geology, the ecology, the climate, the history and the legends of this country, along with the history of American public land. The walking is the point. Forests, lava tubes, and waterfalls where the road allows. Ape Cave is the longest continuous lava tube in North America. Inside it the temperature holds at 42°F, 5.5°C, whatever the weather outside, so bring layers and shoes you can scramble in. Wipe those shoes before you go in: bats live here and white-nose syndrome travels on footwear. The Trail of Two Forests is a lava mould forest, full of wells and tunnels where trees used to be. Weather permitting, the day reaches the closest viewpoint into the crater that a vehicle can get to, and the picnic lunch is eaten there, over Spirit Lake with the mountain in front of you. There are 357 steps up to the full panorama, and on a clear day it holds four stratovolcanoes at once: St Helens, Rainier, Adams and Hood. Johnston Ridge Observatory stands where David Johnston radioed "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" on the morning of 18 May 1980. Lava Canyon is blue-grey andesite scoured smooth by the 1980 lahar, which came when pyroclastic flows melted the Shoestring Glacier, with sapphire waterfalls running through it now. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
What's included
- Headlamps
- If weather does not allow mountain visibility, a modified itinerary will take you to bonus stops.
- Bottled water
- Snacks
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- Lunch
- Hotel pickup/drop-off in Portland area
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Gratuities
- PA system to hear guide while driving
- Professional naturalist guide
Itinerary
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523 NE 19th Ave, Portland
Mount St. Helens
The trip covers Mount St Helens and the country around it with a naturalist guide, who handles the geology, ecology, climate, history and legends of the area, and the history of US public lands. The walks go near waterfalls, through lava tubes and into old growth forest, with stops both inside and outside the National Volcanic Monument.
Ape Cave Lava Tubes
The longest continuous lava tube in North America. The cave holds 42F, 5.5C, however hot the day is outside, so bring layers. Wear shoes you can scramble in, and wipe them before going in: this is a bat roost, and white-nose syndrome travels on boots.
Trail of Two Forests Trail
A lava mould forest, with wells and tunnels where trees once stood. Children take some persuading to leave.
WIndy Ridge Viewpoint
Weather permitting, the closest viewpoint into the crater that any vehicle can reach, and where the picnic lunch is eaten, over Spirit Lake with the mountain in front. 357 steps lead up to the full panorama. On a clear day it takes in four stratovolcanoes: St Helens, Rainier, Adams and Hood.
Johnston Ridge Observatory
The spot where David Johnston got on the radio and shouted "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" on the morning of 18 May 1980.
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
The visitor centre with the most detailed account of the mountain's history and geology.
Lava Canyon
Sapphire waterfalls running over blue-grey andesite, scoured smooth by the 1980 lahar that came when pyroclastic flows melted the Shoestring Glacier.
Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center
A deliberately retro visitor centre: a Mount St Helens film from around 1985, and a 1990s park ranger statue in the manner of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, who delivers a lecture.
523 NE 19th Ave, Portland
Not included
- Hotel pickup/drop-off in Seattle area
- Hotel pickup/drop-off in Hillsboro
Good to know
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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- This tour operates in all weather conditions, and the cave is 42F (5.5C). Please dress in layers.
- We recommend shoes that are suitable for minor rock climbing (i.e. scrambling/bouldering).
- Wear long pants, as there will be opportunities for crawling.
- Up to 14 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
Reviews
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