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Big Four Ice Caves Trail

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This information is a public record of the 1978 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Big Four Ice Caves Trail

USDA Forest Service Backcountry Trail
  • Length
    1 mile
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back

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One of Big Four ice caves. Photo by Steven Pavlov.
One of Big Four ice caves. Photo by Steven Pavlov.
1916 - Cavern Beneath Millions of Tons of Ice in the Monte Cristo Mining District of Western Washington. Photo by Frank J. Nowell (1864-1950).
1916 - Cavern Beneath Millions of Tons of Ice in the Monte Cristo Mining District of Western Washington. Photo by Frank J. Nowell (1864-1950).
Big Four Ice Caves. Photo by Robert Ashworth.
Big Four Ice Caves. Photo by Robert Ashworth.
Trail to Big Four Ice Caves. Photo by Robert Ashworth.
Trail to Big Four Ice Caves. Photo by Robert Ashworth.
  • One of Big Four ice caves. Photo by Steven Pavlov.
  • One of Big Four ice caves. Photo by Steven Pavlov.
  • 1916 - Cavern Beneath Millions of Tons of Ice in the Monte Cristo Mining District of Western Washington. Photo by Frank J. Nowell (1864-1950).
  • Big Four Ice Caves. Photo by Robert Ashworth.
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Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Darrington Ranger District, east of Silverton in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest between Twin Peaks & Vesper Peak.

  • States: Washington
  • Counties: Snohomish

The one-mile Ice Caves Trail crosses the river about one-third mile from the trailhead and continues beyond the river to the base of Big Four Mountain, where the ice caves form. The easy hike gains 200 feet, and ends at the 4,000-foot tall north wall of the Big Four Mountain featuring the lowest elevation glacier in the lower 49 states.

Warmer Weather Increases Danger at Big Four Ice Caves: Hikers should be aware that there is an increased risk of collapse of the ice caves in warmer weather. Visitors are urged to stay on the trail, NOT to enter the cave, and to take extreme caution in the area outside the caves below Big Four Mountain as well, which is prone to falling rocks and ice.

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking

Other Activities

  • Wildlife viewing / observation

Public Contact

Erica Keene
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Darrington Ranger District
Darrington, WA 98247
(360) 436-1155

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

  • Elevation (low): 1700
  • Elevation (high): 1900
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): Rock, crushed
  • Surfaces (additional): Rock, crushed
  • Tread Width (average): 36"
  • Tread Width (minimum): --
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): 10
  • Tread Grade (maximum): 12
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): --
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Jan 30, 1978
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