Big Four Ice Caves Snowshoe — Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Went with a group of 16 adults with varying degrees of snowshoe skills. the snow was pretty compacted along the entire length of the trail. Some opted to use their snowshoes, some opted to use microspikes or Yak Tracks, some opted for bare boots. Everyone had a nice hike without injury. Note that you have to park at the closed gate, so this route is 7.0 miles RT for snowshoe with 4 miles RT on the closed Mountain Loop Road. The restrooms at the trailhead are open, but the restrooms along the closed road on the way to the trailhead are not. When you get to the split in the snow covered road, take the road to the right for a 7 mile RT. If you stay on the road straight ahead, it will get you to the trailhead but will add an extra mile each way to your route. The trailhead is just beyond the covered picnic area. look for the display board about big four ice caves as the trail starts next to the board. The Ice Caves are at the base of the escarpment at the end of the snowshoe trail They are currently coved by numerous avalanches, but the trail is still worthy of a visit. (Saw one person who had crossed the snow covered river and was sitting at the base of the avalanche zone, which is an incredibly dumb thing to do.) We stopped for a quick snack near the trail end before heading back. We had a light fall on soft snow most of the way, which added to the beauty of the outing.