Ape Caves - Mt. St. Helens

We heard about a lava tube at Mt. St. Helens called the "Ape Caves" so we decided to go check it out. After a beautiful 45 minute drive we arrived. I was worried about bats, but decided to give it a try anyway. I am very relieved to say that we did not see any bats! But it sure was eerie going down into this pitch black cave. We only had a few flashlights so it was slow going. Without the light, it was as dark as you can get. The tube goes two directions and we chose to go the 3/4 mile route. You go down to a dead end and then turn around and return to the surface. I was able to get pictures only by guessing where I was aiming and then pushing the shutter button. The flash allowed enough light to get a picture, but believe me when I way it was pitch dark in there! Even though we made it okay to the end, I was very happy to see daylight and breathe fresh air!

Here are all the cousins, ready to go........

We went with my sister Mandy.......
we also went with Troy's sister and family.........

going into the dark unknown.......

this was the ladder at the beginning - at the bottom it got

about 40* colder!......... mandy and the girls stick close..........

the "meatball" was pretty cool............

the end.....