Driving past the trailhead on the Mountain LoopHighway today, I noticed the parking lot is closed.Perhaps this is due to the fatality this past weekend. I recommend calling the Verlot Rangers to see if it's open. If you go there, enjoy the caves from the outside.These caves collapse regularly and there have beenmany accidents and some fatalities over the years. Suggested alternative hike: Barlow Point trail #709. This trail is1.2 miles long, a similar distance. But it climbs800' and gets moderately steep. Great views, however, and it's fairly short. To get there: drive past theIce Caves trail all the way up the Mt. Loop Hwyto Barlow Pass (where it changes to a gravel road).There is a large parking lot on the left side,and the trailhead is next to the parking lot. Many peoplehiking to Monte Cristo also park here. Enjoy!

Ice caves are now starting to form! Ice cool breeze blowing out of the caves was really refreshing. Don't miss the far west end where you can walk up to the base of a waterfall - without traveling over the treacherous snow.

Trail has muddy sections after river crossing due to ongoing trail work. No snow caves yet but lots of waterfalls.

The trail to the ice caves is in great shape, but the ice caves haven't melted out yet. The huge avalanche fans are there, and worth a visit, though. The waterfalls are in prime condition. [Online editors note: Huge avalanche fans' I didn't know avalanches wereso popular.]

Decided to head to the Big Four ice caves (or what will be caves later this year) today. The gates to the parking lots (old and new) were still closed when we arrived and there were many cars parked along the highway. The trail had packed snow the whole way, except for the usual muddy spots about halfway to the clearing, and was just skinny enough to make hand holding nearly impossible. With only a couple of stumbles and slips, we made it to the clearing and continued up near the waterfall in the west corner where we stopped and absorbed the views (and listened for avalanches). There's really no straying from the thin trail without snowshoes or a strong desire for wet feet. No caves are open yet, and of course, you are strongly encouraged to stay out of them. I forgot my flashlight anyway. Great company! and a good day for a hike. On the way out, we noticed the gate to the old parking lot had been opened.