Big Four Ice Caves

The Mountain Loop Highway continues to be gated and closed at Deer Creek. Its currently a 2.5 mile walk to the picnic area and the Big Four Ice Caves trail from here. Our group of 3 and a dog parked here and walked the road up to the trail. What a glorious day it was too. Warm and sunny blue skies lighting up all the mountains with their late season snow. We saw our one person on the hike at the picnic area. The road is 90% clear to the trail but once there the snow began quickly.

On the actual trail the snow begins quickly once you leave the first boardwalk and deepens quickly. The snow does not cover the entire mile up to the caves area but does most of it. I made it up just fine with trekking poles and my friends with none. Once at the top we ran into a massive snow field, no caves today but that was not unexpected. We stayed back, not wandering terribly far in case there was an avalanche. The cliffs had big waterfalls dropping and great views of the surrounding ridges were everywhere. More of a walk today than a hike but that mile of snow gave us all a nice little workout. A great day out in the sun with friends!