John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2026-07-27

Location: Big Four Ice Caves

People: (including myself): Pam

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		2:00	1750	0
Ice Caves:		2:40	2000	1.7
Leave:			3:00		2
Bridge:			3:30	1700	3
Trailhead:		3:45	1750	3.6

We parked in the Trailhead parking area.  You can also park at the Picnic area.  Both lots have trails about the same length.  There is more parking at the Trailhead parking, though. 

This time, instead of taking the direct trail, we took the side trail connecting the two parking areas.  This led to the picnic area where the old Big Four Inn used to be before it burned down.  There are good views of Mt. Dickerman across the valley. 

The trail wasn't crowded, possibly due to it being a Monday.  Shortly after the trails from both parking areas meet, the trail crosses a nice metal bridge over the South Fork Stillaguamish River. 

After the river the trail climbs a bit into the bowl beneath the cliffs where the ice caves are. 

We continued past the official end of the trail up to the right where were some nice streams of melt water running down the cliffs. 

We didn't go down near the actual ice caves, but just returned back to the trailhead directly.  This time we didn't eat lunch at the caves. 

Ice caves below Big Four

Mt. Dickerman across the valley

Meltwater running down cliff

Fireweed flowers

Pam on the bridge over the South Fork Stillaguamish River