Road was plowed and sanded, although chunky icy in the shade. Passable for all cars, just take it slow and steady. There were about 8 cars parked along the road when we arrived and when we left. The road hike was covered in a couple inches of soft snow on top of packed snow. The trail was covered in a little more, but it was packed down and snowshoes weren't necessary (typical PNW winter hike where we took our snowshoes for a hike). Spikes were really helpful at least to walk a little faster. Gorgeous day! 

Snowshoe to Big Four Ice Caves. Snowshoes only needed if you’re proceeding beyond the picnic area along the ice caves trail. But they made it easier to cover the two miles on the road after the gate.
When I arrived at 12:30 there were about 10 cars and several families playing in the area.

Even though some were walking on the road after the gate without snowshoes I used mine because the snow was still pretty soft. I saw only 4 other hikers/snowshoers and two skiers on the road.

Shortly after the turn off past the picnic area I was breaking trail through deep snow, past my knees in places, even in snowshoes.

It was a beautiful day as the sky had mostly cleared and the sun came out. Watch for tree bombs if you’re on the trail while the sun is shining.

I stopped just short of the “end” of the trail since I had a strict turn around time and breaking trail really slowed me down. I enjoyed a snack while listening to and watching a few ice falls from a safe distance.

There are no obstacles on the trail, just some snow heavy evergreen branches to go under.

On the way back, the road after the picnic area and to the gate was pretty well packed, so I removed my snowshoes for the last 1.5 miles just to do something different.
Returned to the car by 4:30, only a few other cars were there.

Please remember not to park in the snow plow turn around.

7 miles, 4 hours total.

Wow! What a beautiful snowy day!
Restrooms at Verlot were open. No facilities at the TH.
Even with a snowplow, there was packed snow and ice on the road. Not a problem with all wheel drive but you might want chains without it.
It snowed the whole time we were there.
You can do this hike in boots but with conditions today, I think it was a little easier with snowshoes.
We stopped at the picnic shelter. We would have needed an earlier start to make it to the ice caves.

Arrived around 9:30 and was the fifth car.
Make sure to not park in the snow plow turn around spot which is on the right side of the road in front of the gate.

Mountain loop hwy was compact snow and ice on the way in and mostly compact snow on the way out. Plows were active in keeping the roads maintained.

There was compact snow paths on the road to the ice caves due to two snowmobiles going back and forth on the road. They were very respectful and would go slow by us. You could walk in just boots on the compact snow but we used snowshoes as it helped us move quicker and was more enjoyable with them on.

We only went to the trailhead of the caves and not up to the caves. About 4 miles round trip.

Saw no people going in other than the snowmobiles. Started to see more people as we headed back. About 20 cars or more when we got back.

Lots of people out playing in the snow along the hwy on the way out.

It snowed the entire time we were there. Absolutely a beautiful snow day.

The trail was great but the snowshoe route doesn't have a toilet at the trailhead like the description states. However there is one at the upper parking area if needed. All four doors were unlocked and I noticed TP inside. 2 vehicles didn't read the no parking sign for the plow turn around. No snow but after the gate is shut for the season I consider it a no parking area. Lol