Big Four Ice Caves

Big Four Ice Caves at the foot of Big Four Mountain

(August 30, 2009)

(access off of the Mountain Loop Highway)

Too short to even call a hike, but a one plus mile walk to something you wouldn't expect to see in this area! Looks more like something one might expect in Canada or Alaska! Judy, Emily, and I found it fascinating!

A portion of a collapsed area. Do NOT enter the ice caves! These collapses can happen without warning, and they can injure and/or kill!

Notice the cracks in the snow? This area is getting ready to collapse again.

Suncupped wall near one ice cave

Looking inside one of the ice caves. Notice the meltwater/perpetual rain inside the cave. No I did not enter this cave, I just turned on the flash, cranked up the ISO on the digital camera, and hoped for the best.

I understand this cave has usually fallen in by now. But because of all the snow this last Winter...it still stands!

A blue-green wall of ice!

A last glance at the first set of caves as we depart