Ice Caves Loop

Follow the Grand View Trail as it climbs steadily through forest and open slopes to a broad ridgeline. Continue on the West Peak Trail, gaining elevation along rocky terrain with increasingly expansive views. A short spur leads east off this trail to the limestone ice caves, a shaded natural feature that retains snow and ice throughout the summer. After visiting the caves, return to the West Peak Trail and continue south until it meets the Uhlhorn Trail. This section descends steeply along rugged tread with occasional loose rock and intermittent tree cover. At the lower junction, follow the Ice Caves Trail northward through forested terrain to reach the Ice Caves Trailhead, located a short distance east of your starting point. This moderate to difficult route combines high-elevation exposure, varied terrain, and unique geology, offering a rewarding day hike for those prepared for route-finding and backcountry conditions in the Big Snowy Mountains.