Treehouse Ape Cave and Tree Mold Adventure on Mount Saint Helens!
October 6th, 2011
The beginning of the Ape Cave, the longest lava tube in the U.S.. "This lava tube formed from an eruption of Mount St. Helens 1,900 years ago. A lava tube formed when the surface of a lava flow cooled and hardened, but the molten lava beneath the surface continued to flow.
Yhe cave averages 42 degrees Fahrenheit. This route that we took was the lower route, 0.7 miles (each way)."
The beginning of the Ape Cave, with no ladder; lovely stairs.
The "Meat Ball": "a block of cooled lava which fell from the lava tube ceiling while lava was still flowing through the cave. Floating on the surface of the lava flow it was carried downstream until it became wedged in a narrow spot above the present cave floor."
Next set of steps. No ladder, again.
Coming out!
The tree molds:
"Discover the molds or impressions of an ancient forest engulfed by a lava flow nearly 2,000 years ago, and an emerald forest that has risen from the black basaltic lava. If you bring a flashlight along, there is one opportunity to crawl throught the mold of a tree that stood at this site 2,000 years ago."
Students crawling through one of the tree molds.
Thank you to all of the drivers and parents for driving and picking up the students at a late hour. The students had an amazing time!
(facts found on USGS web site)
