Exploring the Big Four Ice Caves | Photo Album
Located in the Cascade Mountains, a 90 minute drive from Seattle, the Big Four Ice Caves are one of the most incredible natural features in the Puget Sound region.
An easy hike/walk on a well-maintained trail will get you to the main attraction for a mere 2.2 mile roundtrip adventure!
Here’s what Washington Trails Association (WTA) -- my handy dandy go-to source for all things hiking in Washington state has to say about the adventure -- as a warning!
Formed by melting snow, waterfalls from the above cliff and wind, they are really snow caves under an avalanche chute. Inviting as they look on a warm day, there are signs everywhere warning of the danger. Do not go into or climb on top of the caves! Other hikers may be doing just this, so parents, have your “Just because everybody else does it…” speech ready. The signs are there for a reason; people have been killed here as recently as 2011 by avalanches in the spring and collapsing snow bridges in the summer. There is a plaque at the end of the trail in memory of Grace Tam, an 11-year old girl who was killed in 2011. It serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of this area, and the potential for danger that the melting ice holds.
Seriously people, don’t go inside. You will be tempted (and its true that Instagram is full of folks who didn’t follow this good advice). However, people have been seriously injured being stupid. Don’t join them! The views outside are just as spectacular!
Watch how the cave “grows” as I approach!
At first glance the caves don’t look that impressive, it’s only as you hike closer and realize their full scale (especially in relationship to the people) that you get a real sense of what is in store.
Here you see me standing on a huge lump of ice/rock directly in front of the doorway (a remnant of a recent fall-in I suspect).
The scale of these caves in amazing when you are close. Unfortunately, they don’t always melt out in perfect formation like this. Some years they won’t be as well formed--I was very lucky to see them on a day when they were at their best and most impressive.
Cash and I standing in broken up pieces of ice and show at the entry to the caves.
Getting outdoors is one of my passions, and this was a particularly amazing local adventure. If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it! Just check some recent trail reports to see what state the caves are in to make sure you won’t be disappointed if they aren’t fully melted out!
| Category | landscapephotography |
| Settings | no filters |
| Camera | iPhone 6 |
| Location | Big Four Ice Caves |
This is amazing. I wish I can go there someday :)
It’s beautiful, definitely go if you get the chance! :)
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This is awesome! Thanks for sharing these photos. Another location to add to the list :S
Yes!! You must get to them if you can as a fellow nature lover. Nice to see you stopping by. :)
This trek looks amazing, i wont even tell about the caves per se! Wonders of nature!
Btw.. I'd like to join that steemit woman community! Any advice?
I’d start by popping into Discord! Here’s the link to Team Girl Powa: https://discord.gg/FcTazG
And here’s a link to Steem Sugars: https://discord.gg/T5kWvF
Thanks a lot!!!
That is awesomely scary looking.
Haha, yes! I was not going to go inside.
It's really fantastic place, I wish I can go there
It is beautiful, and maybe someday! :)
Thanks @ilyraabe . Pretty amazing. I did a lot of spelunking in my teenage years. Doesn't look like this is one you could do any spelunking in ??
Spelunking is awesome, but yea, I wouldn’t recommend it here, too dangerous if the ice caves in. We do have the Ape Caves nearby though--4 miles of underground lava tubes to explore (that one is awesome!)
WoW this place looks great!
It’s AMAZING. <3 Thanks for stopping by!
Wow @lilyraabe that place looks amazing. That picture of you and Cash standing next to the cave looks so epic. By the way, your dog's really cute lol
Thanks so much for stopping by to check it out -- and boy does he know it, btw (Cash that is). :)
Wow! Stunning photos!
Thank you! :)