This week we head to the Big Four Ice Caves located within the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest of Washington State. The Big Four Ice Cave Trail is an easy out and back trail that is about 3.5km long and 90m elevation gain.
We went there 6 years ago, way back in early September 2018. The trail was very well maintained and clearly marked with long sections of boardwalks along the way. Going into the forest, there were also very clear views of the mountains behind the forest. After crossing a bridge over the Stillaguamish River and a bit more hiking, we reached an open field where the ice caves were in sight.
According to Wikipedia:
At the bottom of its steep, 4,200 ft (1,300 m) high north face, debris piles form from avalanches and are able to remain there year round because of the continuous shade provided by the mountain. At an elevation between 2,450 ft (750 m) and 1,950 ft (590 m), this ice forms the lowest-elevation glacier in the lower 49 states.[1] During the summer, snow-melt streams flow beneath the debris piles and cause caves to be formed in the ice.
After spending some time to look at the ice caves, we headed back to the parking lot using the same trail.
Info signs at the trailhead.
Long sections of boardwalks along the trail.
Clear views of mountains behind the forest.
New growth on top of dead tree stump.
Ice caves in sight.
Closer look at the ice caves.
I entered the mouth of the cave, but was afraid to go deeper because of the possibility of cave-ins.
A final view of the caves.
We stopped by the Stillaguamish River on our way back and let our kids play in the water for a bit before heading back to the parking lot.
More views of the mountains.
Check out my previous hikes:
- The Panoramic Views of Panorama Ridge
- The Golden Larches of Frosty Mountain
- The Winter Snow of Pump Peak at Mount Seymour
- Sapphire Waters and Azure Skies of Battle Bluff
- It Isn't Always Sunshine and Blue Skies
- The Frozen River and Waterfalls of Maligne Canyon
- The Amazing Arches of Arches National Park
- The Bizarre Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
- The Magnificent Stones of Zion National Park
- The Flowing Walls of Lower Antelope Canyon
- A Glimpse of Hope at the Hope Lookout Trail
- Turquoise Waters viewed from Sea to Summit Trail
- The Three Peaks of Mount Seymour
- The Serene Winter Scene at Dog Mountain
- Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge
- Yosemite National Park
- The Bear's Hump at Waterton National Park
- Views of Okanagan from Pincushion Mountain Trail
- The Half Frozen Waterfalls at Franklin Falls
- Hole in the Wall of Vancouver Island
- Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
- Winter Wonderland at Alexander Falls
- Eagle Bluffs
- Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
- Admiralty Point
- Myra Canyon Trail
- Garabaldi Lake
- Botanical Beach Loop
- Wild Pacific Trail Lighthouse Loop
- Whistler Train Wreck Trail
- Grouse Grind
- Crown Mountain
- Chance Cove Coastal Trail