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Ape Cave - by AJTrekker08
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Saturday, September 26, 2009
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 Started hiking about 10:30am. We weren’t sure if we were going to do both the upper and lower sections of the lava tube, so we started with the lower section. It was amazing, a wonderland of exploration. You feel secluded in the cave for the most part, only being able to see what our headlamps would illuminate. It was so different when a group would pass with a large lantern, you could definitely see a lot more! Other than the dark and moderately uneven floor in the lower section, the hike is super easy. You make it what you want it to be. We had fun examining the different rock formations and trying to figure out what caused them and what it would have been like with lava flowing through the tubes. At the end of the lower section is a small tunnel that we army crawled through with a pocket at the end just big enough to stand in. Crawling through made the exploration that much more fun. We decided to take on the upper section and it was much more challenging. There are numerous large piles of rocks/boulders that you have to scramble over, and the utter darkness makes it that much more challenging. There is a little bit of elevation gain as you hike up through the upper section but nothing too bad, just enough to get your heart pumping and warm up a little bit. There is an 8’ wall that you have to scale. There is one small foot hole on the left side and then some jagged rock on the top on the right side that you have to pull yourself up with. Hopefully you have good upper body strength or a good friend to give you a boost up. The skylight was the first time we saw any daylight after hours of fun down in the cave, and the little oasis of green there is interesting. Finally there is a ladder to ascend from the cave and back into the light of day. The trail back above ground is well marked at the beginning, but there is a section with multiple forks and you have to use your best judgment to get back. I would definitely suggest starting the upper section from the stair case near the trail head and then hiking back above ground. Going up the 8’ wall was challenging but going down it would be even more so. There were a lot of people in the cave, several boy scout troops and a large class, but the darkness helped make the hike feel more secluded. It was definitely cold as well, I had a jacket with me but wish I would have brought gloves too, although my hands are always cold.
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Miles Hiked: | 4.1 |
| Trail Condition: | Good |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Crowds: | Moderate |
| Rating: | 9 |
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Pictures from this Hike:
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