Ape Caves Mt St Helens

[timberghost72]

I was thinking of taking the family down to hike into the ape caves south of Mount St Helens next weekend. Does anyone know of any good campgrounds in the area for motor home? I do not need hookups but a nice campground close by would be nice. Also is it snow covered this time of year down there? I have never been down in that area so I am unfamiliar with camping and hiking there. I will be checking State Parks and National Forest campgrounds but wanted to see if anyone has personal experience and recomendations.

Thanks
Tony

[fireweed]

Should be snow covered and gated--weather might have it melted, but gates stay.  The nearby parking lots are wintertime snow park with snopark permit required.  better double check with USFS before the trip.

[timberghost72]

Good to know. Thank you. The one website I was reading said the caves are open year round with possible snow at the parking area. I didn't know there were gates. I will research it more.  Are there campgrounds close by with lower elevation (snow free)? I have a go anywhere Jeep that I will be towing down.

[Becky]

We were just there last weekend and going back next weekend. Lone Fir Resort is the closest RV resort, it's a short 10 mile drive to the ape caves parking lot. There's another one right before it called Cougar RV Park.

The only road really even open is the straight shot to the caves and yes you need a SnoPark Pass which is $22 a day or $42 for the season. There's a deli market in Cougar across the street from the RV parks that sell the passes. They did have rangers on snowmobiles monitoring the parking lots lol.

There's a TON of snow up there it's all clear roads until a mile before the caves and then it's just instant snow. There was no low level snow last weekend.

[timberghost72]

Awesome! Thanks for the info 

[Becky]

Awesome! Thanks for the info 

Yep no problem! Maybe we'll run into you up there

[timberghost72]

So we're looking at a  mile hike to the caves? Do we need snow shoes? My daugher is 7 so is that doable for her? Sorry for all the questions. We don't do alot in the snow so trying to see if this is a good option now or hold until spring/summer. I would love this but the ladies may not and being Valentines weekend, it's a gamble to my health and well being 

[Magnum_Willys]

http://www.mountsthelens.com/ape-caves.html

[Becky]

So we're looking at a  mile hike to the caves? Do we need snow shoes? My daugher is 7 so is that doable for her? Sorry for all the questions. We don't do alot in the snow so trying to see if this is a good option now or hold until spring/summer. I would love this but the ladies may not and being Valentines weekend, it's a gamble to my health and well being 

No you don't need snowshoes, but any good traction boots you have for the slippery ice/cave. All the snow was packed down on the trails, lots of people (parking lot was full) and we seen a lot were families with young kids. I think the steps going down into the cave will be the worst part so just be extra careful there.