[Pikawhisperer]

I head up to the ice caves at least once a month. I usually don't head up as much in the winter as I have this year and was curious if anyone knows how far the avalanches usually come down the mountain. Today the avalanche debris was covering the trail right after the last foot bridge. I was a bit surprised as I thought this was sort of a "safe zone".

Ice caves with the boys 055

This is where the sign usually is that says not to enter the caves.

Ice caves with the boys 054

Ice caves with the boys 036

Ice caves with the boys 040

Cave is completely covered now.

[Hulksmash]

Have you not noticed all the trees that have fallen over almost always point away from the caves? Avalanche activity blew those down. The avalanche can still travel through the trees without knocking them down. So during a big event the Stilley river is your "safe zone" Right now its setting up for a big one.

[Pikawhisperer]

Thanks Hulk Smash. I guess I better stick to the riverside then

[Scrooge]

Pika, you do not have to "stick to the riverside" at Big Four during the winter. You can make informed choices about what risks you want to take. First, there's avalanche forecasts and warnings from the Northwest Avalanche Center. Here's the link for the Backcountry Avalanche Forecast (North of Stevens, West of the crest) That's the one for the area that includes Big Four. If forecast avalanche danger is low, the risk at Big Four is low, too. Or, you may decide that you'd like to go out and try to get a picture of an avalanche coming down. We've quite a few people who do that out at Big Four (including hulksmash ). The risks can still be minimized. All that bare ground in front of the Big Four cliffs is kept 'mown' by avalanches, but avanches that get out as far as the one you photographed, on that side of the area, are pretty rare.

Ice caves with the boys 040

On the westside, they're a lot more common.

Big Four, 2010-11 season, westside, debris from multiple avalanches.

Pan: 2010-11 westside avalanche debris and Big Four knoll

However, in the middle is a spot that's just about as risk-free as it's possible to get.

View east, main avalanche cone showing above Mound of Venus.

Big Four knoll, the Mound of Venus, looking from the trail towards the cliff.

2010-11 view east, showing Mound of Venus

That copse of trees on the crest of the knoll has not been touched by any avalanche in 40 or 50 years! .... . Want to view avalanches in relative safety? Go out till you cross that last bridge and then angle over to climb the knoll from behind. Work your way through the trees and, "Voila!", ringside seat.

[Schroder]

The huge avalanches that can sweep the entire area at once are mostly in the spring thaw - March & April. The pineapple expresses can bring down a lot of snow during the winter too. Just keep an eye on the avalanche forecasts & the local temperatures & wind conditions. Since that side is so steep, there's always something coming down as long as there's snow there.

[avalanche survivor]

Pikawhisperer, please be careful reading advice from amateurs on the internet. Even the professionals can't predict avalanches that accurately.

[Hulksmash]

Yes the big ones are rare. But until you learn more about avalanche weather predictions, don't go near.

[Schroder]

Is the Deer Creek gate closed now?

[Scrooge]

[Pikawhisperer]

Thanks Schroder and Scrooge. BTW it was nice to meet you at the potluck Schroder. As for Hulksmash, I am actually signed up for an avalanche awareness class this coming week. I am a very careful, usually informed person. I was just curious what other people knew about the area since it is one of my favorite places for an easy quick get out of the house adventure. Oh and Schroder the gate is not closed yet at Deer Creek. At least it wasn't yesterday. That's when I took those pictures. Scrooge thanks for your insight. I know you have a special place in your heart for the ice caves too

[Hulksmash]

Take an avalanche awareness course. There even available at REI. So you don't necessarily need to join the mounties. http://www.nwac.us/ is an excellent resource but by all means not a replacement for an assessment in field local conditions may vary. Of course digging a snow pit in the parking lot does not mean jack compared to 3/4ths the way up that hill. Now I've spent every day out side this week. With each band or showers making multiple layers of snow, temperature swings, even a (pseudo pineapple express) and high winds, and a big dump of snow at higher elevations. It's enough variation for me to question the wisdom of getting close. With out further investigation in the area.

[Scrooge]

[touron]

Today it was a salami sandwich, banana, shortbread cookies, and Sees candy, an avalunch for which I was well prepared. Conditions tomorrow may be different. Quien sabe?