Wanna Climb Mount St. Helens? Lakewood Can Help

(Editor's note: This is from Lakewood Parks and Recreation)

Scale an active volcano and check out the lava dome and new glaciers growing inside the crater!

We'll start the trip by exploring Ape Cave, the third longest lava tube in North America formed about 2,000 years ago.We'll be hefting our packs and heading to high camp after we stop for lunch.

If weather permits, the Perseid meteor showers will be visible from high camp. An early morning start and a three mile trek will get us the crater rim. Climbers should be in good physical shape and able to carry a 45 pound pack for at least two miles.

The trip is scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 11-12. We will depart and return to Lakewood City Hall. We will leave at 9 a.m., Aug. 11 and return approximately at 6 p.m., Aug. 12 The cost is $85 + tax ($92.91) and participants must be pre-registered.

Some equipment (tents) may be available. This trip requires a Mount St. Helens climbing permit all of which have been sold out for this climbing season. We have 8 climbing permits available for our participants. For more information call Lakewood Parks & Recreation, 253-983-7887