This thermal erosion deepened and widened the channel of the flow. The hot flowing lava began melting into the pre-existing rock and soil. In turn, the crust insulated the molten lava beneath, allowing it to remain fluid and travel down to the Lewis River Valley. As the lava flowed, chunks of the lava’s surface cooled, crashed and fused together creating a hardened crust. ![]() Helens on May 18, 1980, exemplifies this tendency.Ībout 2,000 years ago, fluid basaltic lava poured down the southern flank of the volcano. When this type of magma is coupled with suspended gases, explosive eruptions tend to occur. The Cascades usually erupt lava of a thicker consistency. Eruptions of fluid basaltic lava, much like those in Hawaii, are rare occurrences in the Cascade Mountain Range. Helens' eruptive history in that it is the only known basaltic eruption of the volcano. ![]() The formation of Ape Cave marks an unusual period in Mount St. Helens Apes, may have come from an old term used for foresters in the area, "brush apes," or from the legend of Bigfoot. This local group was made up primarily of foresters. Ape Cave was named by the Scout Troop in honor of their sponsor, the St. Leaving footprints where no one ever had, these explorers were able to travel through a pristine lava tube full of fragile formations. However, the cave was not explored until the early 1950's when a scout troop, led by Harry Reese, lowered a team of scouts down a 17-foot overhang to the cave floor. General Notes:Īpe Cave was discovered in 1947 by a logger named Lawrence Johnson. A paved trail leads to the lower cave entrance, but gets rougher to reach the upper entrance. The parking lot and visitor area facilities are flat and paved. Drive approximately 1.5 miles, past Trail of Two Forest, Apes' Headquarters is located at Ape Cave on Forest Road 8303 on the left. Drive Forest Road 83 for 3 miles then turn left onto Forest Road 8303. Continue on Forest Road 90 to Forest Road 83, approximately 4 miles and turn left.
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