Upper Ape Cave and Lunch

Join us for a fun adventure exploring Washington's famous Ape caves (Upper section)!

Drive from PDX: Takes about 1hr 30min. drive to reach trailhead for Ape Caves.

Please meet at trailhead parking lot (Forest Road 8303, off NF-83, near Cougar, WA 98616) at about 9:15am. If you plan to carpool, please coordinate yourself by posting in comments.

Upper Ape Cave: Total hike will be 3 miles, is rated as moderate/technical, and will be about 4hrs long. To be as transparent as possible, this is hike is a lot of scrambling over rocks and boulders, climbing up and down rock piles, and there is a 8ft. wall section with rope that we will help each other get up. We are going to take our time! Ape Caves: Explore the third longest lava tube cave in the country! Descend with us for an exciting moderate activity caving experience—perfect for escaping the summer heat!

*Please note that there is a "entry" fee to get driving access to the caves ($2) and a parking fee that is per vehicle (not person).

• Entry/Access to Ape Caves: Each Car/vehicle (not person) requires a $2 access fee, which you can reserve for the time slot of 9:00-9:30am. A limited number of vehicles will be permitted per 2-hour window. If you are planning on carpooling (which you are driving) or driving by yourself, you can go ahead purchase (asap) and print the access fee ticket. Do not wait to purchase this entry ticket to the latest min. as there are a limited # of cars per entry hr that they allow.
• Parking Fee: A Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or Parking Day Pass ($5) are required to park at Ape Cave. All passes are sold online.

What you will need: It's cool/cold in the cave, so bring hiking shoes, warm socks, warm layers, beanie, gloves, etc. You need to bring a minimum of 2 light sources, and head lamps are recommended so that you can use both your hands to stabilize yourself as we hike.
- Bring water, and night snacks.
- Sandals or sneakers are not recommended for the actual hike, but can def. bring them in your car for afterwards to change out.

After the hike, Drive 1 hr 10min to Heathen Brewery & Kitchen (Hazel Dell location: 2225 NE 119th St suite#109, Vancouver, WA 98686) for those who would like to get a late lunch.