Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Big Four Ice Caves
Featured In:
Day Hiking: North Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Instead of immediately heading for the caves, take a short diversion right, following a paved path 0.25 mile to the Big Four Picnic Area. This trail was once a rail line and was responsible for delivering thousands of tourists to a grand hotel where the picnic area now sits. From 1921 to 1949, vacationers came to this spot to golf (the flats before you were once a green), paddle (the wetlands you just crossed were flooded), admire the inspiring view of Big Four Mountain (still in front of you), and hike to the base of the ice caves (just like you!). All that remains of the hotel is a chimney. The grounds have reverted to a semiwild state, and the trail has been upgraded to a top-notch walk in the woods. From this trip back in time, follow the main trail toward the ice caves, crossing through bird-bursting wetlands. In 0.25 mile come to a junction. The trail left will return you to your vehicle. For now, continue straight, soon coming to a bridge crossing the South Fork Stillaguamish River. Two hops and a skip beyond, cross Ice Creek by bridge as well. Now on a very gentle grade, wind through open forest. Notice clumps of mountain hemlock, a tree that usually grows at elevations above 3500 feet. Cross Ice Creek once more and emerge at the barren base beneath the north face of Big Four Mountain. Stare straight up sheer 4000-foot walls where avalanches careen down all winter and spring, depositing tons of snow in the shadow of the mountain. Admire the cascades now crashing down those same walls, helping to hollow out the caves. Walk across the fireweed-rimmed rocky flats to get a closer peek at the caves. But don't venture into or onto them-they can collapse at any time. If it's a hot summer's day, cherish the air-conditioned breezes funneling out of the icy catacombs. Note from WTA: Never enter these ice caves, no matter how safe they might seem. In addition to spontaneous collapse, there is high risk in winter from avalanches off the mountain which feed the caves. Not only is there a risk of being in the avalanche zone, but people have been in the caves and then sealed inside by an avalanche. A woman was killed by falling ice in the summer of 1998.
Driving Directions:
From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 26 miles to the trailhead, on the right (elev. 1750 ft). Privy available. You can also hike from the Big Four Picnic Area, which is 0.5 mile before (west of) the caves trailhead off of the Mountain Loop Highway. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Mud/Rockslide | Washouts | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Avalanche danger
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This is always a beautiful short hike. We went up for some snowshoeing but the lack of snow kept that...
This is always a beautiful short hike. We went up for some snowshoeing but the lack of snow kept that short. The trail is very icy most of the way so be very careful..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0kkSb6TB9s
Big Four Ice Caves
— Jan 02, 2012
— geologirl
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Avalanche danger
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The road out is perfectly clear, but the parking area is an ice rink. The trail itself is very...
The road out is perfectly clear, but the parking area is an ice rink. The trail itself is very icy and slippery, but can be done in hiking boots. Use extreme caution near the caves themselves. There are recent avalanches reaching quite far down the trail and the snow is very heavy and went.
Otherwise, it was a beautiful day and great fun for kids and dogs. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Avalanche danger
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Great day for hiking with my wife and son. It was a cool and calm day, though some light...
Great day for hiking with my wife and son. It was a cool and calm day, though some light drizzling ended in heavier rain around sunset. Pretty busy day for a Monday. A lot of snow but the trails are very icy and slick. If you have kids make sure you've got a good hold on them when crossing some of the bridges. We took our time to get to the end of the trail, about 2 hours. No avalanches occurred but there was plenty of evidence of prior ones. There were a couple small sledding "runs" at the end of the trail. I've been here about 4 times and every time is as beautiful as the last.
Big Four Ice Caves
— Dec 17, 2011
— picatar
Day hike
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Snow on trail
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Took advantage of the clear day and hit the trail. The parking lot is snow covered and has ruts but...
Took advantage of the clear day and hit the trail. The parking lot is snow covered and has ruts but my little car did just fine. From there pretty much the entire trail is either compact snow or bare ice. I would recommend some good gripping boots or more for the incline portions of the trail. Otherwise the snow covered mountains and trails where beautiful.
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Avalanche danger
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We headed up there just before noon today with the sun trying to peek through the clouds. Mountain Loop Highway...
We headed up there just before noon today with the sun trying to peek through the clouds. Mountain Loop Highway is still clear despite the snow on the side of the road as you gain elevation. I'd caution going over bridges as there is more accumulation in those areas and they might be icy. Otherwise, my little VW Jetta had no problems.
The parking lot for the trailhead is closed to cars as there is now decent enough snow on the ground and the restrooms are closed for the season. However, 1/4 back in the other direction, the picnic area is still open for parking (the higher the clearance the better) and the restrooms are available. The hike up to the caves is completely snow covered though very decently packed down. We went up in hiking books and opted to return with the spikes to reduce slipping on the icier portions of the path. The trail itself is in spectacular condition and was incredibly easy to navigate. The ice caves were pretty awesome! The clouds had cleared enough that we could almost see the top of Big Four Mountain once we were by the ice caves. There were active avalanches while we were up there, I heard at least four, thankfully none were threatening the people enjoying the area, though there were a few who were being riskier than they should... We hiked up and over the small ridge to see the other three caves and then opted to hike across the field despite our lack of snow shoes. I post holed a few times but I had gaiters and the hubbie had waterproof pants and we were fine. It was a lovely day with a light snowfall the entire time we were out. I can't wait to go back on a clear day, the views that we had promised some that must be amazing when there isn't a cloud on top of you! |
Photo by Lindsay Leffelman
2010
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