PNW Taycan Meetup: Big Four Ice Caves Day Trip - 9/6/25

[jakeCT]

This would be our first group activity after the successful PNW Taycan Meetup.

Activity: spirited and scenic drive (solo or group), family-friendly outdoor walk, and picnic, before the rains return!

Date Options

• August 30 (Sat) or 31 (Sun)
• September 6 (Sat)
• September 13 (Sat) or 14 (Sun)
• September 20 (Sat) or 21 (Sun)
• September 27 (Sat) or 28 (Sun)

Please indicate your date preferences & availability in the thread poll.

Date will be finalized after sufficient number of votes and interest.

Park Pass required:
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Day Use Pass OR Annual Northwest Forest Pass
https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP24333/order

make sure to print your pass and display on your dashboard for this trip.

Other things to bring:

• packed lunch to enjoy during picnic
• water / refreshments
• sunscreen

Schedule

1. Start point (optional)
(for those who wish to do the relaxed group drive, otherwise go to 3. Ice Caves Trailhead - Big 4 (parking lot) and we will see you there!)
Starbucks Juanita, 9721 NE 119th Way, Kirkland, WA 98034

• Arrive before 7:45am.
• Departure: 8:00 a.m.

2. Group Drive (optional)
Starbucks Juanita, Kirkland → Mountain Loop Highway via WA-522/WA-9
Fun, twisty, and scenic, should be light traffic this early!

3. Big Four Ice Caves Trailhead - Big 4 (parking lot)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8T6pe21ui6K1RTFH8

• target arrival: 9:45am
• this is the larger of 2 parking lots; the other has a generous picnic area, but this provides more space for our cars
• for those skipping 1. and 2., drive here directly and save us some parking spots, if early!

(see note above regarding required park pass; may be able to purchase on-site but may be crowded/inconvenient/unavailable according to Google Maps reviews)

4. Trail walk to Big Four Ice Caves viewing

• start of walk: ~10am

Hike: mostly level, spectacular mountain/meadow/cave views. Entering of caves is unsafe and strongly-discouraged. While the ice caves are a big draw, we could also enjoy the forest/rivers/mountains/scenery.

After the walk back, we can head towards the smaller parking lot and enjoy a nice picnic (with the food you brought!).

After returning to our cars, we can end the day there, or some can do the group drive back.

All in the community, family and friends are welcome. I am open to any suggested changes!

Sponsored

 

[snstevens]

This would be our first group activity after the successful PNW Taycan Meetup.

Activity: spirited and scenic drive (solo or group), family-friendly outdoor walk, and picnic, before the rains return!

Date Options

• August 30 (Sat) or 31 (Sun)
• September 6 (Sat)
• September 13 (Sat) or 14 (Sun)
• September 20 (Sat) or 21 (Sun)
• September 27 (Sat) or 28 (Sun)

Please indicate your date preferences & availability in the thread poll.

Date will be finalized after sufficient number of votes and interest.

Park Pass required:
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Day Use Pass OR Annual Northwest Forest Pass
https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP24333/order

make sure to print your pass and display on your dashboard for this trip.

Other things to bring:

• packed lunch to enjoy during picnic
• water / refreshments
• sunscreen

Schedule

1. Start point (optional)
(for those who wish to do the relaxed group drive, otherwise go to 3. Ice Caves Trailhead - Big 4 (parking lot) and we will see you there!)
Starbucks Juanita, 9721 NE 119th Way, Kirkland, WA 98034

• Arrive before 7:45am.
• Departure: 8:00 a.m.

2. Group Drive (optional)
Starbucks Juanita, Kirkland → Mountain Loop Highway via WA-522/WA-9
Fun, twisty, and scenic, should be light traffic this early!

3. Big Four Ice Caves Trailhead - Big 4 (parking lot)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8T6pe21ui6K1RTFH8

• target arrival: 9:45am
• this is the larger of 2 parking lots; the other has a generous picnic area, but this provides more space for our cars
• for those skipping 1. and 2., drive here directly and save us some parking spots, if early!

(see note above regarding required park pass; may be able to purchase on-site but may be crowded/inconvenient/unavailable according to Google Maps reviews)

4. Trail walk to Big Four Ice Caves viewing

• start of walk: ~10am

Hike: mostly level, spectacular mountain/meadow/cave views. Entering of caves is unsafe and strongly-discouraged. While the ice caves are a big draw, we could also enjoy the forest/rivers/mountains/scenery.

After the walk back, we can head towards the smaller parking lot and enjoy a nice picnic (with the food you brought!).

After returning to our cars, we can end the day there, or some can do the group drive back.

All in the community, family and friends are welcome. I am open to any suggested changes!

Nicely planned!

Sorry I can't make it due to other commitments, and a planned vacation, but looks like fun

 

[Sar]

Sounds fun! I'd love to come, this time with my car (not a loaner). Only thing is I'm still healing rather slowly, so I'd likely not enjoy the drive much if we go too soon. I have a work trip the week/weekend of Sep 20-21, so I voted for Sep 27-28.

 

[daveo4EV]

what is the charging situation on the way to the meeting point?

 

[jakeCT]

what is the charging situation on the way to the meeting point?

I suspect most locals will not need to charge given the ~120 miles round trip from the Kirkland starting point.

Here are the Electrify America stations.

near the Kirkland Starbucks starting point:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xECWXb4gCWUr273P8
QFC 828 (Kirkland, WA)
11224 NE 124th St, Kirkland, Washington 98034

this one is en route from Kirkland -> Big Four
Target T1331 - Lake Stevens, WA
9601 Market Place, Lake Stevens, Washington 98258
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fjBcYAtv6aYuP5e18

EA app reports 3 x 350 kw chargers, for both locations

@daveo4EV will you be in the area?

 

[daveo4EV]

I'm thinking this might be fun…will consult with wife

 

[jakeCT]

To everyone that's participated in the recent PNW Taycan Meetup, and those that may be in the area- if you have interest in this family-friendly activity and optional group drive, please indicate your date preferences in the poll. If you prefer, you can also share your date preferences with me in a direct message and I will factor it into the final date. I hope to solidify the date on Tuesday based on the results.

@tkhelm @Gomboy86 @Ambroos @boxrbus @D_Frost @PTProspect @caslca @Brucel @RCorsa, @spicyypenguin @PanameraFrank @AyTifosi @imaznation @pshrosbree @TimW @Avharrisjr @poppap @onesixeight @sebseb @WasserGKuehlt @whitex @philbur @UserNameRequired @miwim @HWY @skilleo @Fitzban @Seattle ClearBra @rs67 @RMB @PCFishman @pnw-ev-nerd @Calaxer19 @seattlefox @GoDucksYellO @glacius @262X40 @fullmetalbaal @jasonh @dewber @Calvin1331 @xxGenericSNxx @sun @gremlin @Dimo @SThurlow @Dan Richman @WAporsche @VoltDriven @Nrgy @ntacus @WadeP @MichaelPNW @cabin fever @jwf360 @Tincan @Flyind @Trogdors_Peasant @Lowpue @buruburu @rich_r @R__ @CPH-Taycan4S @kokos @howie911, @ntmatter @South Sound GTS @Harbor_Dawg @Crazycanuck @foofighter @yamanc @asonwani

It's going to be a rare opportunity to explore one of the popular hiking trails of our beautiful PNW along with and hang out with fellow Taycan/Porsche owners.

It would also be quite an experience to (safely and respectfully) follow a group of Taycans onto our route and back, something I hope to see outside the virtual world of Gran Turismo

 

[jakeCT]

Date set: September 6 (Saturday)

Thank you to all for the poll participation. Multiple dates got 6 votes each, and made choosing one tricky. Picked 9/6 due to the weather looking most-favorable for that week (and forecasts further out are less reliable).

PCA is also having their All Porsche Grand Display (show-and-shine event) the following day in Kirkland (https://www.pnwr.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=502548&item_id=2484467). It should be a great weekend for this activity.

@jasonh @800v @Tomo @ratio @Payton48 @pnw-ev-nerd @PTProspect @PNWTaycan4S @Sar
I messaged a few of you- hope you're all able to make it to 9/6.

@snstevens @daveo4EV would be great to have you join us as well!

I'll post a reminder repeating event details closer to 9/6.

 

[pnw-ev-nerd]

If it's possible to do Sep 13 or Sep 27 instead, I would love to make it out for this, especially since I had to miss the Woodinville meetup a few weeks ago.

I absolutely cannot do 9/6, I have a really important appointment at home that day from 1pm to 2pm

 

[jasonh]

I'm in - See everyone next weekend! Thank you to Jake for setting this up!

 

[jakeCT]

If it's possible to do Sep 13 or Sep 27 instead, I would love to make it out for this, especially since I had to miss the Woodinville meetup a few weeks ago.

I absolutely cannot do 9/6, I have a really important appointment at home that day from 1pm to 2pm

@pnw-ev-nerd I DM'd this to you earlier, but could benefit others here:

1. our activity begins with the meet at 7:45am in the Starbucks in Kirkland,
2. arrival ~9:45am in Big Four Trailhead parking,
3. start of trail at 10am,
4. likely a leisurely 1.5-hour round trip hike so back in the picnic/parking area by ~11:30am; you can feel free to deviate from this and return to car much earlier if needed

Probably a ~2 to 2.5 hour drive home from the parking lot. Would you be able to join us for the beginning part of the activity, and be home in time with room to spare, for your appointment? If not, my apologies, and I hope you're part of the next group outing. During the colder months, maybe we can do a nice group drive, if others are interested and available, like the lap around Mercer Island as you mentioned in a prior post.

 

[wil932]

Hi All,
I see now that this is set for this Saturday. I guess I hadn't set to watch thread, anyway I will see you at the meeting point. Sounds like fun!!

 

[jakeCT]

Reminder: Meet is this Saturday (September 6)!

@wil932 @jasonh @snstevens @pnw-ev-nerd @800v @Tomo @ratio @Payton48 @D_Frost @Sar @PTProspect @PNWTaycan4S @buruburu @whitex @WasserGKuehlt @daveo4EV

The weather is shaping up nicely for this Saturday (for our general area and Granite Falls), and might be one of the last dry ones of the year.

Please see schedule details in original post.

I will highlight this, for those that missed it:

Park Pass required:
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Day Use Pass OR Annual Northwest Forest Pass
https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP24333/order

make sure to print your pass and display on your dashboard for this trip.

Other things to bring:

• packed lunch to enjoy during picnic
• water / refreshments
• sunscreen

Maybe obvious- have sufficient charge in your cars to avoid downtime; some charging points mentioned in https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/t...-ice-caves-day-trip-9-6-25.29208/#post-438047

Family & friends are very welcome and encouraged to join this driving/walking/picnic event.

I'm looking forward to seeing most of you at the Starbucks Juanita starting point at 7:45AM. The rest- we will see you at 3. Big Four Ice Caves Trailhead - Big 4 (parking lot)!

I'll have name tags ready for everyone.

A little treat- my wife is tagging along and will have some cookies to share (from her unique cookie cookbook releasing in October): Ube crinkle cookies & curry peanut butter cookies

 

[daveo4EV]

wife and I have become "occupied" - and the drive is long - next time please!!!

 

[PNWTaycan4S]

Sorry I’ll miss the fun as I’m on a road trip out of state. Enjoy!

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