The Big Four Ice Caves trail has been a special place for our family for many years.  We took our boys there when they were toddlers to experience the beauty and solitude of the mountains. It was often our first hike of the season, where our senses were awakened after a long winter. I went there with Debi many times and even managed to push her in the wheelchair up the trail to the basin, with the help of Cookie, our energetic Cocker Spanial. My son and I went there on his birthday two weeks after Debi's passing and were in awe as a sun halo appeared above the mountain shortly after we arrived.The beauty of the area has been both an inspiration and a refuge.

   Spectacular cliffs tower above a beautiful meadow, that once was the site of a large hotel. There are several picnic tables available.  Waterfalls drop several thousand feet from the snow covered peaks and avalanches often boom and crash down the face in early spring. Brilliant splashes of color dot the landscape in the fall. The trail crosses a marsh on a boardwalk and then heads into the forest. A side trail branches off and  creates a 1/2 mile loop a it heads through the forest to the upper parking lot.  On the  main trail the clear blue rushing waters of the Stillaguamish River appear. A long bridge provides good vistas of the river and the upper valley. The gravel trail is well maintained but gets steeper past the bridge. Go as far as you can. Just before the basin is a large area of downed trees that were hit by the wind of a massive winter avalanche. The ice caves are visible once you reach the basin, but are dangerous and should be avoided. Leave extra time to take in the stunning beauty of the area. The trip to the basin is approximately a one mile round trip.

     The road  to Big Four is often gated until late April, but it's possible to walk along the road for about a mile to the parking area. The rushing river is never far away. There is a parking lot with an accessible outhouse at the picnic area and another parking area and outhouse about 1/2 mile up the road. A Northwest Forest Pass is required  and a pay station is available at the picnic area.

    Directions: Take Highway 92 east from Granite Falls for about 25 miles to the parking area. There are no services available past Verlot.

   Trail Description: 

   Length: . Approximately 1/2 mile loop between parking lots.One mile round trip to                         the basin.

    Surface: Boardwalk, paved and loose gravel.

    Grade: Level between parking lots, moderate to the basin.  

    Difficulty: Easy  wheelchair assist on trail between parking lots. Moderate hiking to           the basin.

     Availability: Spring to late Fall . 

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