This is the trail leading to the upper trail through the cave. As I was hiking, I wondered for a minute why the park service dumped concrete on the trail - then remembered how close I was to Mt St Helens, and that this was a volcanic area. It was cool to see lava (thankfully, dried and cool) up close!
It was an amazing place, a cave running more than a mile, and formed from volcanic activity. I hiked out to the far entrance (about a mile and a third, uphill), climbed down the ladder through the narrow entrance, and used my flashlights. You need to wear sturdy shoes, have something to wear for the 40 degrees temperature, and at least two light sources. I had all of these things, plus some first aid supplies in my backpack. It was an incredible experience, to be alone underground in complete darkness. I moved ahead, walking over the loose rocks, with cold water dripping on me. (No hat, because I was wearing a headlamp.) I climbed around the first couple of rock piles, and discovered an important fact: I don't like being alone in complete darkness, with wet rocks, in the cold. And I had more than a mile ahead still to go. And with my lousy balance, the wet, uneven rocky cave seemed like a broken leg waiting to happen for me. So, I declared victory, turned around, and headed back up the ladder through the narrow entrance.
It was still 90 degrees up there, but this time the trail was headed down the mountainside, so it was easier. And I enjoyed the heck out of the beautiful blue sky, big trees, and nice path! The cave was neat though; next time I'll bring someone else to go with me.
You are so brave to even climb down the ladder (and probably very wise to not continue on alone!). Just reading about it gave me chills.
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