Big Four Ice Caves — Friday, Jul. 3, 2015

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Great day hike. We got on the trail around 9:00, and there were only a few other people out. The temps weren't too bad and the forest paths were fairly quiet and peaceful. Lots of birds chirping and babbling brooks to enjoy. When we headed back around 10:30/11-ish it was getting very busy. Lots of noisy chatter and very little nature noises to enjoy. It was an easy trail for my 3,6, and 13 year olds- great family day excursion. But lots of people were tempting fate and wandering into the ice cave. Please utilize caution and common sense if venturing to this site with children. There was lots of water running off around the ice cave and clear sections of ice chunks that had broken off of the top and sides of the cave. Still, we could see all the way inside to the base of the mountain and the surrounding mountains were beautiful. Lots of wild flowers in bloom.