Big Four Ice Caves — Friday, Oct. 28, 2016

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

The trailhead parking lot is closed for winter. You have to park at the picnic site. My six kids (5.5 up to 14.5 years old) and I arrived on a Friday morning in late October at 10:30am. Only 1 car in the lot, and we didn't see anyone on the trail or at the caves. Some people started showing up while we were at the caves, and when we got back, the lot had at least a dozen cars. The trail was in good shape. Last time I was here was in early September 2009, and there were 2 or 3 more caves besides the main one. This trip only had the main cave, and it was not nearly as massive. But still worth the short hike. The 5 year old needed a couple brief shoulder rides. Even took a nap on the car ride home (not like her). She also was cold when got to the caves and stopped moving. I forgot how shady and cold it is on the north side of Big Four. The mountain top had a light dusting of snow.