Big Four Ice Caves Hike: An Unplanned November Adventure 🧊

Late November—we set out to hike Mt. Dickerman, only to find the road closed right at the trailhead! 🚧 No warning on GPS, no recent mentions on AllTrails… just a blocked-off path. Luckily, the Big Four Ice Caves trail nearby was still accessible. We switched plans and headed there instead. Starting from the road closure point, it turned into a 7-mile round trip, mostly flat and easy—great for beginners or families. We walked along the quiet road for a good while, with hardly any snow in sight 🍂, which made us wonder even more—why close the road at all? ❓ Reaching the ice caves was worth it though—towering walls of ice and shadowy caverns glowing pale blue felt like stepping into a secret winter world. ⛄️❄️ (Safety note: ice caves are unstable—admire from outside!) Sometimes the unplanned detours hold the real magic. 📍 Big Four Ice Caves 📏 ~1.5–2 hours drive from Seattle 🅿️ Parking near trailhead (check official sites for winter access) ⚠️ Winter tips: bring headlamps, traction, hot drinks, layers, and finish before sunset. #SeattleHiking #IceCaveExploring #BigFourIceCaves#WashingtonWinter #RoadClosedSurprise #HiddenTrails#OutdoorSerendipity #SnowAndIce #SpontaneousAdventure