Review Date
July 20, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: sakura10 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is an update to Brain's update which was very helpful. I rode this trail on the 15th of July '07. You can park at the Marble Mtn. Snow Park Parking lot. From there its about five miles on paved forest road to the Ape Canyon trail head. This road has some stretches of sand, and a few washouts. It also offers great views of Mt. St. Helens and the lahar. The link below should take you to a pic of one washout that hasn't quite taken the road out yet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/sakura10/riverroad01.jpg

From the trail head, you run into some early fallen trees and washouts. Then you climb and climb and climb. The single track is full of loose rock and sand early, but later turns out to be pretty manageable forest floor. A thick forest canopy provides shade and reveals glimpses of the valleys below. As you get further into the forest, the flies start getting thick.

In fact, the flies were my greatest motivation to keep climbing. If you stop to rest, they become unbearable. Blooming mountain flowers and miner's lettuce lines the way up the mountain side to reach the beginning of the Plains of Abraham. The total distance and climb from the parking lot to about 1 mile into the Plains was 8.25 miles and 1,651 feet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/sakura10/Abraham05.jpg
I chose to turn around early, when I ran out of water. I packed about 1.5 liters in my camelbak. If I were to try it again, I would bring a portable water filter to refill at the tiny glacial streams at the beginning of the Plains.

The ride back was some great downhill action. The flies couldn't keep up with me then. A long cool downhill ride awaited me after the ape trail back to the parking lot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/sakura10/sthelenlahar01.jpg

Recommended Route:
See Brain's review below. I would recommend packing lots of water and taking the time to soak in the views. Don't forget your tools. My chain bounced off the bottom ring on the way back and got wedged into the frame. It would have been a long, dark, walk back to the parking lot if I didn't have my tools.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lewis River, Siouxon Falls.

Review Date
July 8, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: Brain ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Just an access update. Noting that there is signage on the road indicating that Lava Canyon was closed, I stopped by the Mt. St. Helens HQ to ask about it. Evidently the road was washed out last November and will probably not be repaired until next year. While the Lava Canyon hiking trail is closed due to damage that has created treacherous conditions, the Ape Canyon trail is open. However, because of the washed-out road, the closest parking is at the Marble Mt. Sno-Park, about 3 miles from the trailhead (this would be 3 miles uphill on single-lane asphalt). I did not ride up there yet this year, but the Forest Service staff indicated that the Ape Canyon trail has been checked out & is passable.

I think that this is probably the most awe-inspiring ride in Washington. Begins with about 5 miles, mostly uphill, through the timber along the Muddy River, then up & down across the Plains of Abraham & along the ridge to Windy Ridge.

Recommended Route:
Some common MTB book features this trail starting Windy Ridge, going down Smith Creek, then up the road 5 miles, past the Ape Canyon trailhead and up the trail to Windy Ridge.

This is all backwards. This is much better as an out-and-back from the Ape Canyon trailhead to Windy Ridge & back. Smith Creek loop is long and adds nothing to the trip (unless you enjoy the initial 3-mile downhill through constant pumice switchbacks) but a long climb at the halfway point, just enough to spoil the pleasure of the spectacular views as one traverses the Plains of Abraham.

Masochists may well differ with me, though.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lewis River is very nice.

NOT the trail connecting the Ape Canyon trail to the June Lake trail. While it is spectacular, it is almost vertical in places, and when we tried it a couple of years ago, we ended up walking our bicycles almost 5 miles.

Review Date
August 30, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: dean.gaylor@hp.com ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
First two miles gained about 1600 feet - steady climb on single track with good riding surface. The first few miles are in the woods, with occasional vista's to unbelievable canyons.

When you get above the tree line, it's worth a ride through The Plains of Abraham, but the pumice rock and larger bolders can force you to dismount and walk.

Turnaround when you get to the ladder - it's not worth it. Too much work to come back up it.

Recommended Route:
Ape Canyon + Plains of Abraham

Review Date
April 22, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: ujelang ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
There's nothing like riding in on the shoulders of an active volcano with evidence all around that this is an exciting, live always changing mountain. Before the summer of 2005 I didn't realize that lupine has a wonderful sweet aroma. The Plains of Abraham were full of blooming lupine that was so thick it was almost a sea of purple. While cycling thru the lupine I felt I was with Dorothy, but instead of poppies, it was purple lupine. There are easy sections of trail and there are sections that will be challenging. Brush up on your geology, and learn about the 1980 eruption before riding up here, knowing a thing or two about the geology of the area will make you appreciate more what you are riding on. You will be able to see mudflows, lava flows, lava domes, lahars, on this trail. Just remember to STOP and enjoy the views no and then.

Review Date
June 30, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Kelso Jack ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I reviewed this trail exactly one year ago. We rode the 26th of june last year as well. Refer to last review for details. I just had to add that never have I seen such abundance of wildflowers. Some hill sides totally covered. From the moment we got to the plains all the way to Windy Ridge. Everywhere you looked blooming wild flowers. Just thought I'd let you know. Have fun enjoy the ride, bring your camera. Hope you catch the tail wind on the way home through the plains, what a blast.

Happy Trails,
Jack