Big 4 Ice Caves 09/08

Took a Saturday morning drive up the Mountain Loop Hwy, WA. to check out the Big 4 Ice Caves. Finding the parking lot was easy. They had quite a few signs and pictures around telling the history of the old lodge and the area – sounds like it was quite a place before it burnt to the ground!

The hike was pretty easy it took about an hour to get to the base of Big-4 Mountain. There were very few people on the trail when we started out at around 8am; though we passed quite a few people on our way out (I think every one of them asked about the bridge too). Getting across the river was a little tricky since the bridge is out but it was no big deal. I managed to keep my feet dry hopping rocks even with the baby on my back – this was the dog’s favorite part.

Walking through the avalanche area was pretty amazing. Hundreds of trees laying everywhere, not so great for the forest but we got a little sun because of it!

The caves are a pretty cool thing to see and defiantly worth the hike. But as all the warnings say don’t go inside because they are very unstable. I’m planning to go again this summer, but earlier in the season, when the caves are larger just to see the difference (of course this could make the river crossing more interesting!)