By Kaitin Phipps
The Big Four Ice Caves, located in Granite Falls Washington, is an amazing sight to see. I absolutely love the large trees and mountains that surround the area. As well as all of the beautiful flowers and ferns that made their home alongside the trail through the forest.
Thanks to my family, I'm able to visit Washington every year or so. While I visit, my family and I are able to go on amazing adventures like visiting the ice caves. During this beautiful hike, I was able to see beautiful towering trees and so many native plants like wildflowers and ferns, as well as native animals of the area. It was so peaceful and a very easy trail for a nice view and walk.
This hike is an easy walk that is 2.2 miles roundtrip. There are facilities at the start of the trailhead that are accessible to all. Dogs are also allowed on the trail, with a leash. Washington is a very humid environment, so for this hike I would recommend bringing plenty of water. Humidity can dehydrate you very quickly so have water prepared. While hiking, you may also want to wear lightweight clothing and wool socks or sandals. And of course, always bring sunscreen.
To get to the trailhead, you do need to get a parking pass. This is to ensure your safety and make the area a great place to visit. Thanks to the easy trail, this hike is great for people of all ages, including kids. There are also incredible sites to see, including plants, animals, waterfalls, rivers, and of course the beautiful ice caves!
Although these ice caves are a beautiful site to see and hard to come by, they can also be very dangerous. At the top of the trail, at the ice caves, you will see a plaque in memory of Grace Tam. Grace was an 11-year-old girl who was unfortunately killed at the caves due to the changing environment of the ice caves. This serves as a reminder to those who visit to please be safe and cautious while visiting.
You can use our AIC model to ensure that you are respectful, safe, and courteous of otters. Make sure while you are visiting this area to be very careful and cautious. Stay on the trails while hiking here and do not go near or inside the ice caves to ensure your safety as well as the safety of others. Choosing wisely in areas is very important. Not only does this keep you safe, but it also protects the area itself and the wildlife that calls this area home.
This place is located in Washington so it's quite a ways away from Nevada. However, it is a great spot to stop by when visiting big cities like Seattle. During the winter, it's a little bit harder to get to because of the snow. However, in the summer when I was able to go while the weather was lovely and the trail was wonderful.
According to this article ( https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/big-four-ice-caves) on the ice caves, the best way to get to the area is as follows: “From I-5 in Everett, take exit 194 for Snohomish/Wenatchee, then take exit 204 for Lake Stevens. Follow this road for 2 miles, then turn left onto Hwy 9/9N Granite Falls. Proceed for 1.5 miles, turn right onto E 92/Granite Falls. In 6 miles, come to a roundabout that has a log sign for Granite Falls. Take the following roundabout to Quarry Road and stay on it through two more roundabouts.
Come to a stop sign and turn left onto the Mountain Loop Highway. In 10 miles, pass the Verlot Ranger Station on the left. A mile after the ranger station, cross a blue and grey bridge. 13 miles from the bridge are two signs for the Ice Caves on the right-hand side of the road. The first one will be for the picnic area. A quarter-mile beyond that is a sign marked Ice Caves Trailhead; turn in here. There is a paved parking lot with plenty of parking, vault toilets and a self-serve pay station for a one-day Northwest Forest Pass, which is required for the trail.”
This is such an amazing place to go hiking and visit. The views are incredible and you get to see this rare beauty in a lovely area. I highly recommend this area. It has given me a beautiful memory to look back on and I hope it does the same to every person who gets to visit.
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