Lewis River Camping

Back in 2002 Jamie and I camped with Julie and her family along Lewis River just Southeast of Mount Saint Helens and we had a great time. We returned this year to share the experience with our girls. Camping with Julie is a premium experience including an inferno like campfire tended by Willie and hearty meals made by Julie. Just off the campsite was Lewis River and the beautiful Lower Lewis Falls at which we enjoyed playing.

We took a day trip to the Trail of Two Forests and Ape Cave on the South side of Mount Saint Helens. The Trail of Two Forests contained a lava flow from 2000 years ago. The lava had surrounded many of trees which burned out to form small tunnels. One 45 foot tunnel could be crawled through which Rachel enjoyed, twice. Ape Cave is a long lava tube created from the same lava flow. Lily didn't like the dark cave and had to leave with Mommy, but Rachel hiked almost a mile to the end of the cave. The very end of the cave got so low that even Rachel had to crawl (I had to belly crawl).

After two nights of camping we headed home, but we first stopped at Windy Ridge to get a view of the volcano. We had visited the ridge nine years ago and the regrowth of brush and trees was very noticeable. The effects of the 1980 eruption is still very evident, but in 30 years a forest will probably cover up much of the current wasteland.