We hadn’t really considered Mount St. Helens as an area to go hiking in. We were always driving around it to get to the national parks or some other area nearby. But then it came up on a mountain biking list of epic places to ride. Initially we were going to do the 11 mile round trip hike through Ape Canyon, but then during our training Kevin realized there was a 22 mile round trip hike that you could do to see both sides of Mount St. Helens.

Hike Ape Canyon in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

A quick history lesson. This volcano eruption in 1980 was the deadliest and most destructive eruption in US history. Just 43 years ago. It is still an active stratovolcano but it is in a dormant state. It was weird thinking that we were hiking around and very close to an active volcano. This hike allows you to get up close and personal and there is another hike to actually summit.

The highlight of this hike is being able to see Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams (brother mountain) and Mt. Rainier all on one spot at the top of Ape Canyon and at Windy Ridge. You can also see the crater side from Windy Ridge, along with Spirit Lake.

Miles: 22
Elevation Gain: 3,810
Trailhead Elevation: 4,000′
Parking Lot: Ape Canyon Trailhead – Small parking lot with only room for a dozen cars.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Dogs: NOT Allowed
Water Fill Areas: None – Carry Water

Kevin did some trail recon the day before to check out the trail. The compact trail made for a great ride and run. Techie trails can be fun as you are always jumping around, but sometimes the smooth single track is fun to find a rhythm on.

In less than a mile, you get your first view of Mount St. Helens.

The first 5 miles of the hike are a gradual incline through the forest on the compact dirt trail. Once you get above the trees, you immediately start hiking on gravel and rock, but then you always have a view wherever you are.

Shortly thereafter you make it to the designated camping areas. The landscape levels out and create some pretty epic camping spots. This is a great area for a snack or to take a break.

The trail goes flat for a few miles and it’s a great runnable area past Mount St. Helens.

It seemed so odd to us that this high up could be a flat meadow of rock, but we sure did enjoy it!

As soon as you get to the end of the flat the elevation changes begin. It isn’t an up and then down, but more of a rolling feel.

Just over that first hump and all of a sudden the wildflowers were everywhere!

Just above the point where you reach the gravel road, you will reach steps that are quite steep. This is your first indication that you are close to the road. There is a bit of trail finding in between each, but you can’t get off track to much. Then at around 8 miles you will hit the gravel road that you will take to get to windy ridge. Don’t forget to take a left on your way back!

Then just under 11 miles you will hit the parking lot for Windy Ridge and you see the steps that you have to climb to get to the top. Most people drive to the parking lot for the quarter mile stair climber.

The view of the crate side of Mount St. Helens is amazing with Spirit Lake below.

Then you turn around and you get to do it all over again!

We thoroughly enjoyed this trail! It was a great mix of everything we love in a trail. Wildflowers, views of mountains, elevation gain and loss and challenging. I usually am not into doing trails multiple times, but I look forward to coming back and doing this one again!

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