Ape Canyon : Mountain Biking : MBPost

TiD BiTs

You can reach the trailhead on the south side of Mount St. Helens at the end of the 83 Road. The trail climbs a ridge along the east side of the Lahar mud flow. If you use your lowest gears, it is rideable all the way up. There are magnificent views of Mount St. Helens and the surrounding area. In some places the trail is carved into steep side slopes. At the top is a dramatic view of a waterfall cascading out from a sheer rock crevasse at the top of Ape Canyon. The ride can be extended on the Lowitt Trail, across the side of Mount St. Helens on the Plains of Abraham
(http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mountainbikes/index.shtml)

The DowN LoW

Park at the Marble Mtn ski area and ride past the gate 3 miles on road to the end. On the left side of the road you start up single track along the lahar. Climb climb climb because what goes up must come down. The first 4 miles are old growth forest trail that is smooth and steep. Once above the timberline the trail kind of levels off and you start the Loowit trail section riding across pumice and rock for a few more miles. Once you cross Windy Ridge a narrow spine that is called windy for a reason (high pucker factor) turn around and start the descent.

Do you need a map?

From Cougar, Washington just south of the mountain follow Hwy to Marble Mtn Ski area.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/trails/locations/msh-0234-ape-canyon.shtml