There are plenty of signs along the Big Four Ice Caves trail in Washington, near Seattle, but that doesn’t stop people from venturing too close — or going inside. And that decision has all too often turned deadly, with one person dying and five injured last summer when part of the caves collapsed.
The spectacular natural phenomenon sitting at the base of the massive, sheer Big Four Mountain was closed to visitors until recently. Authorities will reopen the trail to a viewpoint for the caves this spring; it’s the same trail many depart, ignoring warning signs and put themselves in danger for a close-up look. Avalanches and collapses have killed four people here since 1998.
There will be additional warning signs when the trail reopens, and they’ll include additional languages besides English and will generally stand out more.
Many — including prominent outdoors publication Outside magazine — argued for the trail’s permanent closure, given the fact people just can’t seem to resist the caves’ otherworldly beauty.
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