Thankfully the Mountain Loop Highway remained clear and ice free for our entire drive up and we arrived at the trailhead for the Big Four Ice Caves without little mishap.
The parking lot was closed, and covered in snow, but there were cars parked along the side of the road and the picnic area a bit back along the road was open for parking. There is a trail that connects the two places and we walked down to the picnic area first (I needed the restroom).
I have a feeling the view of Big Four Mountain would have been spectacular if the weather was clearer. As it was we only got glimpses of the snow covered mountain slope through the clouds. The trail up to the ice caves was completely snow covered.
The path was a bit slippery, and icy in spots but we had no trouble getting up the path in our hiking boots. I did decide though that I would wear my spikes coming down, just in case.
We reached a meadow of sorts at the base of the mountain though I think in the spring it might be more marsh than anything else.
We caught our glimpse of our first ice cave and it took a moment to realize the scale of the thing at the base of the snowpack. The people as points of reference were very helpful.
Those three pictures really illustrated the scale and the weight of the snow that was just sitting there. And it barely melts through the summer, so it just keeps building up through the years.
The clouds cleared a bit while we were up there, but we never saw the top of the mountain. It was still a gorgeous view.
The two of us and a Mini-McKenna since I'm about 10 weeks pregnant in this picture :) We'll be continuing the hikes as much as possible, and soon we'll have a new hiking partner!
It was snowing nearly the entire time we were out on our hike, but it was a light snowfall, and very pleasant. I finally felt like the holidays were getting close!
Eric is a goof.
People have died up here, which is why it's STRONGLY recommended that you don't go into the ice caves. We respected that rule.
We hiked over a small hill to see the other ice caves and trudged through the snow to get there. From what I understand, this is generally recommended to be a snowshoe, but with good gaiters and waterproof boots, it was fine for us to do. I did post hole a few times.
Some water was melting and there were a few waterfalls. We even heard a few small avalanches.
Some people were not as careful about being on the snow.
The little girl that pink cross was erected for was killed at least 20 feet away from the ice caves, when a chunk of ice the size of an SUV fell off the side of the hill. The lower half of her body was crushed, it took over 2 hours for help to arrive, a registered nurse happened to be on the trial and did everything he could - but she died before help could get there. However, it was almost two hours of excruciating pain before dying in the arms of her father.
ReplyDeleteAll of the people standing 'at' and/or just inside the entrance of that cave in your photographs are placing themselves in grave danger. This is also an avalanche zone.
The 11 yr old girl was killed in July 2010, I understand they have JUST placed a 'warning plaque' FOUR years after that chunk killed her and injured her mom - and it's worded so poorly half the people own't even understand the risks.
Just be careful, okay? That cross looks so kinda sad and lonely there in the snow. It's very sad. And to top it all off the park commission forced the family to remove it, this month, because it's a christian religious symbol and a 'violation' of park regulations. Her family felt that she was still there, or that was the place they should go to remember her and tell her they still loved her, bringing her fresh blueberries and birthday gifts, shouting 'Hi Grace' up into the rocks where it echoed. I just about cried reading that. When I googled Big Four Ice Caves to look at all the beautiful images, I was shocked by how many photographs were taken of people standing all the way inside the cave, directly under the lip of the mouth - even small children.
By the way, your photographs are incredible of this place. Some of the best I've seen. It all looks very beautiful. Just tell everybody to please be very, VERY careful.
Again, she was standing at least 20 feet away - I guess the size and weight of the ice gave it forward impetus.