Ape Canyon Trailhead — Attraction in Washington

Ape Canyon Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Washington, and it never fails to impress. The trail offers a combination of moderate and challenging terrain, making it a rewarding experience for hikers of varying skill levels.

Experience and Highlights: The real payoff of the Ape Canyon Trail is at the top, where you're greeted with an absolutely stunning view of Mount Saint Helens in all her glory. This breathtaking sight makes the climb worthwhile and provides an excellent backdrop for photos.

Scenery and Wildlife: One of the aspects I love most about this trail is the changing landscape. Starting at the bottom, the trail initially lacks much vegetation, featuring mainly volcanic ash and dry shrubbery. However, as you ascend, the scenery transforms, offering more green vegetation and beautiful wildflowers. This variety in the landscape keeps the hike interesting and visually appealing throughout.

Weather and Timing: The conditions on the trail can vary, but during my hike, the weather was perfect, enhancing the overall experience. Starting early in the morning is advisable to avoid the heat and potential crowds, especially if you want to enjoy the summit views in peace.

Tips and Recommendations: Be Mindful of Bikers: The trail is popular with bikers, who may not always be fully attentive. Keep an eye out to ensure a safe hike. Bring Plenty of Water: The trail can be long and demanding, so staying hydrated is crucial. Wear Sturdy Shoes: The terrain can be rocky and uneven in places, so good footwear is essential. Enjoy the Changing Scenery: Take your time to appreciate the transition from volcanic ash to lush vegetation and wildflowers.

Overall, the Ape Canyon Trail offers a truly memorable hiking experience with its stunning views, diverse landscapes, and rewarding challenges. It's a hike I absolutely love and would highly recommend to anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Washington. This trail is a gem that showcases the dynamic and awe-inspiring environment surrounding Mount...

The Mount Saint Helens area is a beauty all of its own! It's interesting to see how it differs from areas void of volcanic activity. In fact, in some areas, it looks like another planet entirely.

The Trailhead is filled with mountain bikers as well as hikers. I personally felt this worked out just fine, as everyone was courteous and respectful of one another.

This is an actual hiking trail, so definitely wear the appropriate footwear. I would recommend bringing a light jacket as well.

My husband and I arrived here later than we would have liked to yesterday; missing out on many areas we would have loved to explore. This just means that we will need to come back, and make an entire day out of it, as anything less is just not enough time to get the experience all hikers are truly after.

Raw beauty, stunning views, and something for...

Great hike. We hiked on October 15. It's mostly in the shade until Pumice Butte. Walk under a lot of old-growth forest and see the tree starting to grow on the slopes that were stripped bare by the 1980 lahars. See the chutes coming down from the bottom of the glaciers.

Get great views of Mt. Adams looming to the East and Mt. Rainier peeking over the shoulder to the North. I'm a hiker but the mountain bikers were good at sharing the trail. We even saw a tandem mountain biker together. The e-bikers are also there. Foot and bike traffic was sporadic.

There's a solar-powered seismographic station and 4+ bars on my cellphone.

One short section right before the junction with the Loowit Trail is a bit dicey and slow-going but otherwise it's a great trail. We went ten...