Ape Canyon

Drove up FR 83 to the Ape Canyon Trailhead in Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument to hike up the Lava Canyon Trail and up to Pumice Butte. 11 miles round trip with about 1,800' of overall gain. I only saw 1 hiker on the way this morning and 12 hikers plus 1 bicyclist on my way down. Nice quiet hike with fall colors and views of nearby peaks.

The majority of the Ape Canyon Trail, about 4 miles of it is on a ridge in the forest with some view areas along the way. The first part of the trail follows the east side of the wide Muddy River Lahar.

Most of the trail through this old growth forest includes maple trees, which were bright yellow today. The lightened up the forest and put a smile on the faces of most of the hikers I saw.

This 4 miles or so of trail is on a soft forest floor.

Less than a mile up the trail, there is a very short spur trail with this view of Mt St Helens to the northwest.

More lovely fall color on the trail.

Further up the trail, there was an opening in the forest with this lovely view of Mt St Helens.

More fall colors as the trail continues to meander up along the ridge.

A gap through the trees revealed a view of Mt Adams to the east.

Here the trail goes through a tunnel of bright orange leaves.

More views of Mt St Helens

Near the end of the Ape Canyon Trail, is a view of Pumice Butte, with Mt Rainier peeking over the ridge to the right.

zoom of Mt Rainier

And a view of Mt St Helens and the start of Ape Canyon (middle of the photo below the trail).

View looking down into Ape Canyon, Mt Adams in the distance.

There were 5 mountain goats grazing on the side of Pumice Butte

The Ape Canyon Trail ends at the junction with the Loowit Trail. I continued on the Loowit Trail to the right. 

View of Mt St Helens along the Loowit Trail

Looking back to Pumice Butte

Crossing part of the Plains of Abraham

Loved this open plain with great views of Mt St Helens to the west

I continued to where water from a spring tumbles steeply down into Ape Canyon, Mt Adams to the east.

zoom of Mt Adams 

Mt St Helens as seen where the trail crosses the spring flow.

Heading back, I could see a group of 5 mountain goats near the base of the mountain.

Fuzzy zoom of some of the mountain goats

Another look at Pumice Butte

zoom of Mt Hood to the south

It was a pleasure to hike back through the forest, enjoying these short fall days in the mountains.

As I was continuing down the trail, I could see clouds gathering on top of Mt St Helens.

The sun brightened up the colors later in the early afternoon.