Apostle Island Ice Caves, Lake Superior, WI

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Over in Wisconsin, on the south shore of Lake Superior, there is to be seen a most amazing phenomena each year during wintertime.  But the site is not always accessible each winter, due to lake ice conditions.  The Apostle Island Ice Caves can only be reached by traveling on frozen Lake Superior, if the winter has been cold enough for the ice to be safely walked upon.  This weather we had this current winter of 2013-2014 was clearly cold enough. We were able to make the trek last week, with throngs of other tourists, to see this amazing place ourselves.

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Although the majority of the actual islands are located off of Bayfield Peninsula, the spectacular ice caves are best accessed by parking at Myers Beach and hiking about a mile to the east along the frozen lake shore. The day we visited was a mild, March day, so it was packed with tourists and visitors of all ages. We ended up having to park about a mile down the highway just to reach Myers Beach and begin the hike. But the weather was great and we were in good spirits. The buzz around the area signaled that we were in for something spectacular.

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The caves themselves were formed over centuries by nature’s forces including wave action, freezing, thawing, and erosion.  During winter, the water freezes in and around the caves, creating a dazzling spectacle where frozen waterfalls, icicles, arches, and chambers contrast against the tan-colored sandstone that makes up the cliffs and caves, all set beneath towering birch and white pines above.  It’s a fascinating, beautiful sight to behold. DSC_0233
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The last time the caves were accessible by foot was 2009, and the last time prior to that was 2003.  The thickness of the ice of course depends on the weather conditions each year.  One good thing to come from this unseasonably cold and miserable winter was that the ice was thick enough to allow us to enjoy this unforgettable experience.

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While in the area:  The Ice Caves are an easy day-trip from Duluth, with about an hour of driving each way. The Ice Caves are also very close to Wisconsin’s Madeline Island, a touristy, scenic, island town.

2 thoughts on “Apostle Island Ice Caves, Lake Superior, WI

  1. First thank you for your time, effort and dedication to Minnesotian’s in exposing all of us to all the wonderful land marks. Not only do your efforts expose us from Minnesota, you also give visitors that pass through and may be here visiting friends and families to the great and interesting thing that Minnesota has to offer. It is of my opinion that you should be compensated for what you have done. Being that you probably can charge admissions to see these sites or charge thise that go see any of them from your exposing people to there existence of them so they can go visit them. Lol! Since this fact maybe I could suggest something that you may do so another way. I would compile the pic’s into a photo book with the unique info/stats etc. Create post cards with the info and greeting & birthday cards. I believe people from Minnesota & surrounding areas would love them. Oh yea, I would add the locations addresses, highways, mile markers and maybe even directions to where & how to get to them. I know when I travel I love stopping and evern detiuring if not to far off my path to see interesting thing like you have captured so I can take a picture by them. This help and adds to my memories of my trip. Plus the become great conversation peaces with family and friends. People love to hear about you trip and always ask what did you see and if you took pictures…

    Just my thoughts. Good luck and thanx again.

    Happy traveles

    Sincerely,

    kim

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