Big Four Mountain is a mountain (6,180 ft. / 1,880 m. high) in the Cascade Range of Washington, located 21 mi. (34 km.) east of Granite Falls. At the bottom of its steep, high north face, piles of debris from avalanches form and often remain throughout the year because of the continuous shade from the mountain. At elevations between 1,950 and 2,450 ft. (590-750 m.), the ice forms the lowest elevation glacier in the 48 contiguous states. During the summer, streams of melting snow flow beneath the debris piles and form caves in the ice.

The Big Four Ice Caves Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail (#723) and one of the most popular hikes in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. With over 50,000 visitors per year, the number of hikers frequently exceeds several hundred per day, and the 2 parking areas at the trailhead are often filled beyond capacity. (Hikers can also park along neighboring Mountain Loop Road.)

In November 2006, a strong storm caused major flooding of the South Fork Stillaguamish River that destroying a major footbridge to the Big Four Ice Caves. Repairs were completed in June 2009, and while the trail is open to the public, the snowfield itself is off-limits because of cave-ins and slides that have killed several hikers (in 1998, 2010, and in 2015).

Many fallen trees were at the entrance. Some had interesting carving. Since the trail does not have hills, it is an easy walk- about 30 minutes for adults to get there. 
Visitors can feel the cold breeze as if opening a refrigerator and it is a great place to visit during the hot summer to get away from the heat.

Warning signs to not go on the snow are there to prevent accidents that people can face out of curiosity. Unfortunately, I saw that someone got killed in Big Four Ice Caves ignoring the signs a while ago.

If you want to experience the charm of Washington State, Big Four Ice Caves is one of the best places to visit with family, especially during the hot summer that we are experiencing this year.

Suggested admission is $5.

How to get there:

From I-5, take the US-2 exit at Everett. Go 3 miles east on US-2, and then take the left up the hill on SR-204 to Lake Stevens. Go north (left turn) on SR-9 for 2 miles, and then east (turn right) on SR-92, which turns into Mountain Loop Highway. After about 8 miles, the highway arrives at Granite Falls.

Alternatively, from I-5 in Marysville, take SR-528 east for 4 miles to SR-9. Go north (turn left) on SR-9 for 2 miles to 84th Street NE. Go east on 84th for 5 miles to the junction with SR-92 (a few miles west of Granite Falls). From the major intersection in Granite Falls, take Mountain Loop Highway east for 25.5 miles to the Big Four viewpoint and ice caves trail. 

If you are coming from Darrington, take the Mountain Loop Highway south from there. Go over Barlow Pass, and then continue west (South Fork Stillaguamish River) for 5 miles to the Big Four viewpoint.



 

*This posting was translated. Click here to read the original version.