Officials Call for Public’s Help in Preserving Ape Cave’s Fragile Undgerground Environment

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The Ape Cave on the southwestern flank of Mount St. Helens is a popular hiking destination in the region. That popularity is great for tourism, but the consistent human presence in the underground lava tube is taking a toll on the underground environment, according to a Forest Service press release. 

The Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in the continental United States, and it is one of the most frequently visited. Because of its popularity, the Ape Cave has suffered over the years. Litter and vandalism are two primary concerns, but new threats are ever emerging. The sanctity of the Ape Cave is of the utmost importance to site managers, and so they are asking for the public’s help in preserving the fragile underground ecosystem.

The managing U.S. Forest Service has proposed numerous tactics for preserving the Ape Cave. First, officials suggest that visitors enter the cave during non-peak times, such as weekdays before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. Visitors should also be sure to use a restroom before entering the cave. Officials encourage visitors to bring two bright light sources, to dress warmly, bring water (but no food) and to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Visitors should also leave dogs and other pets at home since they are not allowed in the cave.

The recent discovery of white-nose syndrome in bats in Washington has created another worry for officials. That discovery was the first documented case of WNS west of the Rocky Mountains. The highly contagious infection is known to cause mass die-offs in bat colonies. In an effort to limit the spread of the fungus that causes WNS, officials are asking visitors to clean their shoes before entering the cave. Shoe cleaning stations with boot brushes and mats will be provided at both the Ape Cave and Ice Cave near Mount Adams.

“We are asking everyone who loves Ape Cave to help us protect it so we can continue to provide a high quality experience for our visitors,” said Tedd Huffman, monument manager, in a press release.  “We are also looking for ideas and are working with the community to help protect the cave.” 



Visitors to the Ape Cave and the Trail of Two Forests should remember that either a Northwest Forest Pass or a federal recreation pass is required for vehicle parking. Day passes are also available for $5 per day.

Additional information on the Ape Cave interpretive sites can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40393. Information on white nose syndrome can be found online at  www.whitenosesyndrome.org.

Additional questions can be directed to U.S. Forest Service scientist Peter Frenzen by phone at (360) 449-7835.