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North Cascades Recreation and Trail Guide



Big Four Ice Caves
Mountain Loop Highway

Big Four Ice Caves is a very well maintained, level, and smooth hike that has an elevation gain of 200 feet. To get to this trailhead you must travel 26 miles up the Mountain Loop Highway. This is a fun hike for families.

You'll pass through the small town of Silverton and come to a sign on the right side of the road marked Big Four Ice Caves Trailhead. This is an in and out hike with no camping.

It is a total of 1.1 miles, roundtrip.

The Big Four Ice Caves stand in awe 6,135 feet above you. As safe as they may appear they are rather very dangerous and entering the ice caves is not permitted, seeing how there have been fatalities when ignored.

The Big Four Ice Caves is great for a short, get in and out the wilderness hike. There are chilling winds coming off the peaks so do make sure to dress warmly.






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GoNorthCascades.com attempts to list hiking trails as we either trek them ourselves, have them recommended by friends or other readers, or read about them through other resources, such as books, news articles, and websites.

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Photo by Tom Hughes, Lake 22 Photo by Tom Hughes, Lake 22 Big Four Ice Caves - Photo by Tom Hughes Mt. Pilchuck - Photo by Tom Hughes Mt. Pilchuck - Photo by Tom Hughes Mt. Pilchuck - Photo by Tom Hughes Mt. Pilchuck - Photo by Tom Hughes Mt. Pilchuck - Photo by Tom Hughes Big Four Ice Caves - Photo by Tom Hughes Big Four Ice Caves - Photo by Tom Hughes

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