Big Four Ice Caves Hiking

Getting outdoors and having fun is a huge must in our family. Hubby goes stir-crazy if he doesn't get is outdoors fix and Miss K runs rampant with energy on the weekends. Hiking is one of our favorite outdoor activities and we try to go as often as time and weather allows. Hubby loves long, steep hikes that leave me gasping for breath and begging for powwow sit downs. I blame it on his legs, I swear I take two for every step he does. Which of course means I have to do twice the work. At least that's my logic!

With 5-year-old legs tagging along this time we had to choose a sweet and easy destination. Off to Washington Trails Association's website we went. Major rave for WTA on plentiful information and a search engine that allows you to filter by length, elevation gain, and children friendly hikes. This past weekend we chose to make a trip up to Big Four Ice Caves in the North Cascades. With a 2.2 mile length and overall 200-foot elevation gain, this was set to be a pleasant afternoon hike. 

And let me tell you, this hike did not disappoint at all. The trails had been recently worked on and the climb was gradual enough that Miss K didn't complain about being tired until we were almost all the way back down to our car. It was drizzling off and on the whole time so Miss K was constantly opening and closing her new yellow umbrella (talk of the excitement!). We got a little wet and cold but the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.