Big Four Ice Caves

Big Four Mountain is a mountain in the Cascade Range, located convert|20|mi|km east of Granite Falls, Washington. The mountain is about convert|6135|ft|m|abbr=on. high and on its north flank, debris piles form from avalanches and are able to remain there year round because of the continuous shade provided by the mountain. During the summer, snow-melt streams flow beneath the debris piles and cause caves to be formed in the ice.

The Big Four Ice Caves trail (#723) is one of the most popular hikes in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest attracting over 50,000 visitors per year. Frequently exceeding several hundred hikers per day, the trailhead’s two separate parking areas are often filled beyond capacity occasionally forcing hikers to park along neighboring State Route Hwy 92.

A severe autumn storm in November 2006 caused flooding of the Stilliguamish River destroying a major footbridge to the Big Four Ice Caves. Estimated repair cost to replace the damaged span is approximately $500,000. As of August, 2008 there is still no alternative trail route, forcing hikers to wade across the river to access the caves.