Despite what seemed like throngs of people, the parking lot was less than a quarter full, on a Saturday just after noon. The ice caves are cool but hoo boy, I was not prepared for just how many people gamble with their lives. I get that the odds of fatality are pretty low on any given day, but it has still happened, and there is a perfectly safe option: just stay on the trail. But when I was there, only two parties remained on the trail with me: a grandpa who was uncomfortable with the climb down from the ridge, and a young couple with a baby in a stroller. There had to have been close to a hundred people who ignored the warnings just while I was there. I get it: the caves look cool, and honestly the ridgetop trail is pretty far from the caves, and everyone else is doing it. But the complete lack of caution just gave me such a bad vibe.
The trail itself is in fantastic shape, wide, and well-maintained. The bridges are sturdy and the whole trail is an easy walk. No balancing on log crossings or steep rooty sections.
No wildflowers or berries now, but there were a few frogs making a racket down by the river. The fall foliage is just getting into gear on the upper slopes.
Comments
DK1998 on Big Four Ice Caves
It's like the people trying to take selfies next to wild animals in Yellowstone. It's appalling how we are supposedly the most intelligent species out there, yet so few of us seem to have anything in the way of common sense.
Posted by:
DK1998 on Sep 21, 2025 08:28 AM