The shadow of Photo Editor Jared Wenzelburger is cast onto a wall at the Ape Cave in Cougar as photographs are captured on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A flashlight illuminates the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Sun shines on the entrance to the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A Trillium blooms in the sun at the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A comma butterfly rests on a stump at the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com
Mount St. Helens towers over the horizon, 43 years after the 1980 eruption, on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Certified Volcano Naturalist Nick Giovanni describes the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens at the entrance to the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Assistant Editor Isabel Vander Stoep uses a flashlight to light the way while hiking through the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A sign honors the ‘43rd Eruptiversary,” of Mount St. Helens at the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Assistant Editor Isabel Vander Stoep uses a flashlight while traveling 50 feet down to the cave floor at the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Hikers use flashlights to illuminate a path through the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Water forms puddles as it drips from stalactites at the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Hikers in the Ape Cave Interpretive Site are asked to clean their boots to protect bat populations in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A sign is displayed at the entrance to the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Jessica and Chris Rawlins, of Salmon Creek, smile for a photo while enjoying views around the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument 43 years after the 1980 eruption.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Assistant Editor Isabel Vander Stoep smiles as she reaches the surface at the upper entrance to the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Certified Volcano Naturalist Nick Giovanni smiles while talking about the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens at the entrance to the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Flashlights illuminate the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Rocks illuminate with color at the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
United States Forest Rangers provide information at the Ape’s Headquarters in the Ape Cave Interpretive Site on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Sunlight shines through an opening to the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Water drips from stalactites flooding small portions of the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Water drips from stalactites at the Ape Cave in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Snow blankets the ground around the upper entrance to the Ape Cave Interpretive Site in Cougar on opening day Thursday, May 18.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com