We did this on the way home after a full day of hiking. Pulled into the picnic area to use the toilet and look at the mountain, and were happy to find a 1 mile trail straight ahead. Trail is easy. We stayed in our tennis shoes. Lots of family and kids, but not overwhelmingly crowded. On the first boardwalk section you are literally in a bowl with mountains all around you. Big Four close up is stunning, and that was plenty for us. We did not go off the trail and get near the ice caves. A batch of snow had dropped off the mountain less than an hour before we arrived, so we met the search and rescue team that had gone out to make sure no one was hurt.

We hiked here on a gorgeous Labor Day, despite the morning fog it had burned off and rewarded us with a good view of the mountains. The trail was popular, but not crowded, just don't expect solitude on a nice day.  Unfortunately, a number of people were still in and around the caves, even as it was signed in so many places not to do this.

After visiting the caves, we had lunch at the picnic area and read about the old hotel that used to sit on the site.

This was a first "real" hike with the baby in the hiking backpack and he did great!

To hike to the Big 4 Ice Caves, you have two places to park.  As you travel east along the Mt Loop Hwy, the first place is at the Big 4 Picnic Area.  The second place is the Big 4 Trailhead.  Both of them have paved parking lots with plenty of parking and newer pit toilets that were clean.  I arrived at the Picnic Area lot at 7:45 AM on a Wednesday and there were only 2 other cars in the lot.  I headed out on the trail at 8 AM and hiked the 1.3 miles to the Ice Caves.  Since it was still early in the day, there was mist coming from the caves, so it provided a cool vibe.  On the way back, I went to the banks of the Stillaguamish River - was a nice view of the river and the impressive bridge over the river.  To get down there, take the side trail that's on the NE side of the bridge (right side of the bridge as you are headed back to the TH).  The trail crosses back under the bridge and leads you to the river.  Went to the Big 4 TH parking lot, then took the connecting trail to the Picnic Area.  Total time was 70 minutes.  Distance was 3.0 miles.  Elevation gain was 360'.

This is a hike for everyone. The trail was cluttered with strollers. It is a mile and change to get to the ice caves. Some of the trail is paved. There are some areas with loose rocks which could be hard for those with mobility issues if you want to get off the trail and take a closer look at the caves. 

Don't go in the cave. Don't do silly things. 

It was fine. I wasn't blown away. It's a bit like walking around your neighborhood and you see some snow left over. I know this sounds harsh when the rating is a 4 but this one wasn't for me. There are so many incredible, beautiful hikes and places to see and this just wasn't my thing. It is very crowded and noisy with lots of young children. We even saw a group of over a dozen small kids. 

I am thrilled there are places that are open and able to be enjoyed by everyone. And the snow is fun. This just didn't do it for me. I didn't walk away feeling something. Normally, when I hike, my favorite part is that by the end I will feel something I never expected. It might be a sense of peace or calm or awe or it might be a memory I had forgotten that has come back to the surface. It might be something someone said that suddenly hits. But by the end of a hike, I usually *feel* something. This time I didn't. 

Stats:

Total Mileage: 3.75

Total Time: Less than 2

Dogs: 15

Snacks: Sadly, none.

Hike was easy to manage with a lot of people on the trail. Ice caves are melting and it was concerning to see so many people letting their kids play on top of the ice caves. The view at the top is breathtaking and gorgeous.