Mount Saint Helens - Ape Canyon TH

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

• From Snoqualmie, take Hwy 18 South for 28 miles.


• Take I-5 South for 120 miles.


• Take exit 21 to get on Hwy 503 towards Woodland / Cougar.


• Follow Hwy 503 / Lewis River Rd for 28 miles to town of Cougar. (so far, this should take 3hr 20 minutes, distance so far is 180 miles).


• Past Cougar, Hwy 503 / Lewis River Rd becomes FS Rd#90.


• Turn left on FS Rd#83 and follow to end.


• Ape Creek TH and Lava Canyon TH are separate paved spurs at the end of FR-83. You want to bear onto the spur that goes left to find the (signed) trail entrance.

This takes 1.5-2 hr drive time from I-5, but expected 4 hrs total from Snoqualmie.

TRAILS TO RIDE {IN THE VICINITY}
Butte Camp
Siouxsian Creek
Falls Creek
Lewis River

GENERAL INFO

• The Smith Creek abandoned jeep road exits between Lava Canyon and Ape Canyon trailheads.


• The road to bottom of Smith Creek is driveable, for those who wish to bail on the boring climb out of Smith Creek up to Ape Canyon.


• Ape Canyon does not have facilities, but a couple hundred yards away, the Lava Canyon trailhead has two stinky outhouses. Otherwise Marble Mt Snow Park also has outhouses a few miles before the trailhead.


• NW Forest Pass is required.


• Along the way, stop by at visitor center and sign the guest list!!! Funding for trails and organizations are dependent on visitors and this is one way that they keep track.


• I always patronize the local establishments, they need our revenue to stay vibrant! Favorites are the Cougar Bar and Grill and the Lone Fir restaurant.