Big Four Ice Caves — Monday, Apr. 27, 2015

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

With trust in the weather forecast (rain before 1100 AM) we headed for the Mountain Loop Highway. Going across the trestle east of Everett the view of the Cascades was obliterated by heavy clouds. By the time we got to the trailhead all was well with the sun burning off the clouds and a terrific view of Big Four Mountain. The trail is in very good condition and there were still few people on the trail at late morning. The ice cave is deteriorating quickly and it looks to be under a lot of stress rotting under its own weight. We went west from the viewing area for a grand view of several falls descending the wall. We heard a few avalanches when we began at the trailhead at the meadow and saw one in action as a thin river of snow came down a chute.