Inside 2.5 Miles Long Ape Caves Lava Tubes // Ape Cave A-Z // Lava Tubes at Mount St. Helens

Explore the 2.5-mile ape cave lava tube at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument! From lower to upper ape cave, discover formations, facts, and challenges: a whole cave adventure and Mt. St. Helens hike inside the famous Ape Caves in Washington. Join us in the 2.5-mile-long Ape Caves in Washington at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument for an underground cave adventure. This video explores both the lower and upper sections of the famous ape cave lava tube. Along the way, we share facts about Mount St. Helens, pass by the iconic “Meatball,” discover glowing cave walls, and tackle boulder scrambles and an 8-foot lava wall. Whether you’re planning a visit to Mount St. Helens, looking for the best hike, or enjoy cave exploration videos, the ape caves are among the top activities at Mount St. Helens. From gear preparation and trail markers to skylight climbs and the Trail of Two Forests, this guide covers everything you need to know. It’s perfect for anyone ready to explore the cave and experience the wonder of the Mount St. Helens volcano. #apecaves #apecaveswashington #mountsthelens #caveadventure #pacificnorthwest #hikingadventure #undergroundadventure Hope you enjoy this video ~Inside 2.5 Miles Long Ape Caves Lava Tubes // Ape Cave A-Z // Lava Tubes at Mount St. Helens More Adventures You’ll Love: 🌲 Mount Rainier Fail + Paradise Park 👉    • Mount Rainier National Park 😱 (Epic Travel...   🏕 Seaside, OR RV Park Review 👉    • Thousand Trails Campground Surprised Us! |...   🚐 Full-Time RV Life (Seaside, OR) 👉    • FullTime RV Life: Seaside, Oregon // Adven...   🏛 Astoria: Goonies House & More 👉    • Exploring Astoria | The Goonies House, Ast...   🌊 Hidden Oregon Coast Trail 👉    • Oregon Coast's Historic Fort Clatsop – Uns...   == Helpful Links == 🛒 Our Favorite RV Travel Gear: https://www.amazon.com/shop/deanandge... ==Book Family-Friendly Tours & Experiences: https://vi.me/s/deanandgertie 💌 Join Our Postcard Club (we send postcards from everywhere!):   / deanandgertieexploretheworld   == Follow Us == Instagram:   / deanandgertieexploretheworld   Facebook:   / deanandgertie   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deanandgertie... YouTube:    / @deangertieexploretheworld   Website: https://www.deanandgertie.com 🔗 Affiliate Links Open Roads / Thousand Trails Membership Options Join Open Roads Today 👉 https://apply.myopenroads.com/user-po... Learn More About Open Roads 👉 https://innovativetoll.com/open-roads... Request a Custom Quote 👉 https://form.jotform.com/233247851729060 RV Gear & Essentials Rivet Supply Co. – RV lifestyle gear 👉 https://rivetsupplyco.com/ RV Trip Wizard – Plan your routes 👉 https://tripwizard.rvlife.com/#67042a... Passport America – Save on campgrounds 👉 https://passportamerica.com/?rfsn=386... RV SnapPads – Stable leveling for your rig 👉 https://rvsnappad.com/ Book Tours & Experiences with Viator 👉 https://www.viator.com/partner-shop/d... == About Us == We’re the Grant Family, offering a youthful take on full-time RV living 🚌, roadschooling 📚, and uncovering America’s hidden history 🔍. Inspired by a desire to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind, we left behind the pressures of chasing success to embrace a lifestyle built around what truly matters—family, exploration, and meaningful experiences. After years of sacrificing quality time, we realized true happiness doesn’t come from material possessions but from the richness of shared moments. Now, we’ve hit the road full-time, exploring 27 of 50 states (and counting!) with Dean and Gertie by our side. Along the way, we’re roadschooling our kids, learning the stories of America, and rediscovering the beauty of simple living. Join us for RV living tips, family travel hacks, and inspiring adventures as we share what it’s really like to live, learn, and love on the road. Follow our journey as we redefine the American Dream—one mile at a time! 00:01 Intro, Exploring Mount St. Helens 01:43 Arriving at the Park and Check-In 02:58 Cleaning Shoes to Protect the Cave 04:12 Descending Into Ape Cave Lava Tube 05:02 Exploring the Lower Ape Cave 06:09 Gear and Equipment Check 06:57 Lava Formations and “Railroad Tracks” Walls 08:50 Passing Under the Famous “Meatball” 09:09 UV Light Discovery in Cave Walls 09:45 Reaching the End of the Lower Cave 10:20 Lunch Break and Prep for the Upper Cave 12:53 Boulder Scramble, Upper Ape Cave Begins 16:08 Dean Finds a Trail Marker Underground 18:47 Climbing the 8-Foot Lava Wall 20:16 Reaching the Skylight Above 20:59 Climbing Our Way Out of the Cave 21:33 Adventure Recap and Reflections 23:15 Hiking Back to the Trailhead 23:54 Trail of Two Forests Exploration 24:58 Crawling Through the Tree Tube