Spectacular.
In a word, that was our experience at the ice caves.
We ventured up to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on the northern edge of Wisconsin with good friends the first weekend of March. They had gone last year and couldn’t shut up about it stop talking about how awesome of an experience it was to walk across a frozen Lake Superior and climb through dozens of caves full of icicles.
And it was pretty cool.
Photo evidence:
How to Visit the Ice Caves Next Year
First, go like the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Facebook page for the latest updates. Some years the caves are open, and some years they are not – it all depends on the weather. Once they start talking about the caves being open in early 2016 (it takes a while for the lake to freeze over), they post almost daily updates with what the conditions are and if the caves are open.
Plan ahead! It’s kind of a game of luck on whether or not the caves are open the weekend you have free to go up. This year hotels booked up with a hundred mile radius – if you want to go, book your hotel in Bayfield or Ashland early. And then hope the caves are open that weekend.
Arrive EARLY. We left Presque Isle for the 2 hour drive at 4:30 AM. We got to the park just before 7 AM and were able to park on the road right outside the parking lot – the lot was already full. When we left around 2 PM, cars were parked 3 or 4 miles down the road – and they still had a long way to walk just to get to the caves.
Bring the right gear. Wear warm, waterproof clothes. Make sure you have some Yaktrax
Prepare to walk. I was not quipped for how far we would be going, and I am NOT in shape these days. Make sure you are ready to walk a lot wearing heavy gear – it’s completely different than a leisurely stroll in the park.
I think that’s about it!
Would you visit the ice caves next year? Have you ever experienced something like this anywhere else in the world?