Seattle North Country Hiking Guide - 2nd Edition 2022

Big Four Ice Caves

Marvel at the snowy catacombs of the Mountain Loop Highway.

ROUNDTRIP: 2.2 miles ELEVATION GAIN: 200 feet SEASON: May - November START: Forest Road 4059 PARKING: Northwest Forest Pass

The hiker bridge over the S. Fork Stillaguamish river was removed to avoid it collapsing when the river channel moved. Replacement is planned for late 2022.

Each year, cascading water and warm winds create hollowed tunnels hidden in heaps of avalanche-deposited snow. These tunnels, dubbed “ice caves” become visible by mid-summer and fluctuate in size from year to year. These unstable formations are extremely dangerous, but interesting to view from the designated trail end. Big Four Mountain’s impressive features have been attracting admirers for decades. A grand hotel once stood at what is now the picnic area where thousands of train-arriving

From the trailhead a paved path heads right a quarter-mile on a former rail bed to the picnic grounds. It’s worth the diversion for the views and to learn more about the hotel that stood there from 1921 to 1949. Then follow a trail from the hotel site 0.25 miles across wetlands to a junction. The trail left returns to your vehicle. Continue straight to a bridge crossing the South Fork Stillaguamish River and another soon afterwards spanning Ice Creek.

Now on wide tread, the trail gently winds through open forest. After crossing Ice Creek once more, you’ll reach the ice caves in a barren flat beneath the north face of Big Four Mountain.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT VENTURE INTO THE CAVES, OR ONTO THEM, AS THEY REGULARY COLLAPSE CAUSING FATALITY ESPECIALLY IN THE WARM SUMMER MONTHS. FOLKS HAVE DIED.