so i decided to try this, parked where the mount loop road ends and walked 2.5 miles to big four parking lot, decided to go on the trail, the sign was down so im guessing either forest service took it down or angry hikers who think they have the right to hike the mountain or whatever ripped it down viciously(using my detective skills i saw pieces of sign all over). there were many footprint in snow so well either way still went on it, not sure if legal or whatever, anyway trail has not been maintained for a year so blow downs and snow, still passable, heard avalanches, the road suppose to open at the end of month just FYI

The beaver ponds around the Big Four Ice Caves are open but difficult to navigate. There are several large trees down over the boardwalk which could pose a serious obstacle for many. Thankfully it is a short trail. We saw no beavers but lots of activity. The clouds and rain hung low over the valley. I don't know if it is the Forest Service or the County Health Department that has shut down the trail to the ice caves. But some official entity has decided that the public must be kept away from the ice caves because they are too dangerous. A significant locked gate has been put onto the bridge over the Stilliguamish to keep us out of our Public Lands. Hopefully this same entity will soon block access to I-5, I-90, Aurora Ave., and all the other 'dangerous' public access areas that we can't be trusted in.

Got lucky, trail closed after today til further notice. Hike was easy as always, bugs not that bad, caves looked iffy. Played & goofed around for a few hours...what a day :)

We stopped by the Big Four Ice Caves on Monday, July 6. Temps were about 85-90 at 2pm in the afternoon. Arriving at the end of the trail, we observed people continuously heading down to the entrance of the cave. It was obvious that it was unsafe, yet people continued to allow their kids and dogs to get close to the entrance. 3 hours later a collapse will claim the life of one and injure 4 others who ventured too close to the entrance. Please, don't ignore the signs, warnings, memorial plaque, and common sense and venture down to the entrance of the cave. It is not safe.

Even during one of the hottest summers on record, the ice caves remain. While they are dangerous when too close due to constantly melting, they are quite an amazing sight to see.