Big Four Mountain

Big Four Mountain is a peak in Washington State's Cascade Range, roughly 20 miles east of Granite Falls, known for one of the Pacific Northwest's most striking natural curiosities. Its north-facing slopes are shaped by persistent avalanche debris that accumulates into massive snowfields surviving through summer. As temperatures rise, meltwater drains beneath the packed snow and carves out ice caves of varying size and shape — a different spectacle each season. Officially, entering the caves is prohibited due to the constant risk of sudden collapse, yet the formations draw visitors in significant numbers each summer. A short, accessible trail leads to the base of the snowfield and delivers a direct view of the mountain's imposing north wall.