The following are photos taken on the long, fun, tiring, chilly, exhilarating Ape Canyon/Smith Creek loop trail trip on Sunday August 31, 2008:

At the Ape Canyon trailhead parking lot, after a 5 mile ride over Forest service Road 83.

Have you ever wanted to do the Ape Canyon and Smith Creek loop trails?  Well, here's your chance!  We'll be leaving from the Marble Mountain Snow Park, north-east of Cougar, WA at 8:00A.  The Ape Canyon trail is in excellent condition this year.  Even though the upper Smith Creek trail is currently in pretty rough condition, there are several work parties scheduled before Labor Day weekend which should clear out most of the brush in time for this ride.

There will be a work party on the Ape Canyon Trail at Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument on Sunday, August 3.  Bring nippers, limbing saw, or similar tool that will fit in your backpack.  Bring your camera and enough food and fluid to last the day. There is an excellent chance that we will be able to get the trail work done and still have plenty of time to ride across the Plains toward the ladders. This is a great opportunity to get up on the mountain.

We will attempt to do the Ape Canyon/Smith Creek loop.  This is an epic ride that will be tough because of the distance and elevation gain/loss involved.   I think the snow should be mostly gone by this weekend because of the warm weather.  If it hasn't, we will always get in a good ride by doing a Smith Creek out/back.  Total miles because of the extra 5 miles on paved road will be about 45.

Please advise if you will be going.  You can e-mail me at ujelang@aol.com, or call me at 503 772 0471

Hello members of PUMP!