Big Four Ice Caves, Big Four Ice Caves Snowshoe — Friday, Dec. 31, 1999

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

A perfect day for a lowland walk. It started snowing just outside Granite Falls, and sticking within a few miles. Not one, but two snowplows were working New Year's Day, plowing all the way to Barlow Pass. It takes much longer to drive this road at 25 mph than my usual 55 mph. Four-wheel-drive was a huge bonus. One camper in the ditch, and finally the trailhead. We couldn't see the mountain because it was snowing as hard as I've ever seen. A foot of new was present. The brief trip to the edge of the basin below Big Four is always worthwhile. Here, the new snow was almost two feet deep. While the continued snowstorm kept us from seeing most of the mountain, the thunder of avalanches definitely entertained. Please do not venture beyond the sign that says ""Please do not venture beyond this sign, Severe Avalanche Danger"" The wind picked up on the way back, turning things cold. I was covered head to toe with snow when we got to the truck. A quick hike for those with spouses who get cold fast.