#8 Ape Caves (Washington)
The Ape Caves, which run for more than two miles into the earth, were created around 2,000 years ago when Mt. St. Helens erupted. They are the world’s longest lava tunnels in the continental US. The cave is accessible throughout the year, but bear in mind that it typically stays at a comfortable 42 degrees and that water and “cave slime” have made the walls slippery.
The Upper Cave is much more difficult and harsh, requiring you to scale a slippery 8-foot lava fall and squeeze through some small crevices. It is considerably simpler to move around in the Lower Cave, which is a large tube with a level floor and a gentle descent. As you move through the latter, be on the lookout for the structure known as “The Meatball,” a ball of petrified lava rock that dropped from the roof as the tube was building and formed a fairly ominous archway.
Entry is free; however, a Northwest Forest Pass is required to take the self-guided tours. To visit between April and October, reservations are necessary.
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