Big Four Ice Caves — Friday, Dec. 27, 2013

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Hiking today were mom, grandma, Wyatt age 6, and snow dog. We elected to park at the picnic area. First of all the parking area is ICY!!! We quickly learned that the whole trail was slick and we should have had yak-trax and probably poles. Wyatt fell several times along the boardwalk over the marsh. Once to the main trail we were able to go at a fairly steady pace. There are several places where it was very slick and mom and snow dog almost went down. There is one downed tree, but easy to get around/under it. The caves were visible since there isn't that much snow, but waterfalls were abundant making conditions near the cave unpredictable. A couple of words of caution: 1. Come prepared, wear your hiking boots and if you have them yak-trax, you will be glad you did. 2. Don't go near the caves! We witnessed several groups approaching the caves and playing in the snow next to the entrances. It was very clear to see a pile of snow that had once been the roof of a cave, but people were climbing all over it...use your heads people! 3. I love to hike with my dog as much as the next person, but please keep them on a leash! It is not nice to other hikes who then struggle to control their leashed dog when yours goes running by and you don't even try to bring it to heel, especially on such a heavy used trail.