<P> Big Four Mountain is a mountain in the Cascade Range of Washington, located 21 miles (34 km) east of Granite Falls . The mountain is about 6,180 ft (1,880 m) high . At the bottom of its steep, 4,200 ft (1,300 m) high north face, debris piles form from avalanches and are able to remain there year round because of the continuous shade provided by the mountain . At an elevation between 2,450 ft (750 m) and 1,950 ft (590 m), this ice forms the lowest - elevation glacier in the lower 49 states . During the summer, snow - melt streams flow beneath the debris piles and cause caves to be formed in the ice . </P> <P> The Big Four Ice Caves Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, (#723) is one of the most popular hikes in the Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest attracting over 50,000 visitors per year . Frequently exceeding several hundred hikers per day, the trailhead's two separate parking areas are often filled beyond capacity occasionally forcing hikers to park along neighboring Mountain Loop Road . </P>

Big four ice caves granite falls wa 98252