We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. – Jawaharlal Nehru
Roaming out on the ice
I originally posted a version of this over on my photography blog, but as the snow pickup up to the north of us, I thought that this one would be a good one to share here as well. It’s about that time of year! The trek out to this area is about a mile long and occasionally accessible (as the lake doesn’t always freeze enough to be safe to walk on) to those of us that like a little adventure and are willing to “roam” out over the ice field to get there. Not sure if it will freeze over enough to be able to access it this year, but if it does, it’s a one of a kind journey if you can make it!
Like I said, the post below was one focused more on the photography of the are as that is kinda why I ventured up there, but before that, here is a bit about the act of nature that happens up there at the Apostle Islands (with some ChatGPT help)
About the Ice Caves
The ice caves at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, located on the shores of Lake Superior in Wisconsin, USA, are a remarkable natural phenomenon. These caves are part of a series of sandstone cliffs running along the mainland coast of the Apostle Islands.
During the summer, these caves are accessible by boat or kayak, offering a view of the intricate sandstone formations and sea caves. However, it’s during the winter that they transform into a breathtaking spectacle. When Lake Superior freezes over, and conditions are safe, these caves become accessible on foot. The cold temperatures turn the caves into a wonderland of ice formations.
Visitors can see frozen waterfalls, icicles hanging from the cliff edges, and ice sheets covering the cave walls, creating a stunning and surreal landscape. The ice formations vary in color from clear to shades of blue and white, shaped uniquely by the varying temperatures and wind.
The accessibility of the ice caves in winter is highly dependent on the weather conditions, as the ice needs to be thick enough to support the weight of visitors. The National Park Service monitors the ice conditions and announces when the caves are safe to visit.
This extraordinary natural display attracts thousands of visitors, offering a unique experience to witness the beauty and power of nature in the winter landscape of the Great Lakes region.
From a previous journey there
So I don’t think I have ever mentioned the challenges involved in getting to this location. Well, first off, its not THAT difficult. Not like trekking up Everest or anything like that, but for this warm blooded South Florida boy, it took a little extra effort!
So to get there, I flew into Duluth Minnesota (as close as I could get with a flight cost within reason), rented a car, and white knuckled it into a town called Bakersville. As it was snowing the whole way there, it was a journey in and of itself. I think I counted at least 3 semi tractors that had veered off the road and plowed into snowbanks. Crazy! Sure I may have pissed off a few drivers as I slowly inched my way there, but I proudly say that I made it one piece.Two words for those drivers for next time. Slow down! You should know better……
The entrance to the Apostle Islands shoreline is then about a 45 minute leisurely drive along Lake Superior to the parking lot. There are a few great blogs and posts out there with the specifics if you are interested, but the skinny of it is that you park in the lot (if you get there early enough) and walk about a mile and a half to this area. Its a bit of a trek if the wind is blowing so dress accordingly. My top 5 tips?
- Get there early as the lot fills up quick and the parking gets backed up clear to the highway!
- Consider staying later in the evening when everyone heads back to town for dinner. Its eerie out there!
- Not only layers, but the RIGHT layers. I recommend a visit to a Peter Glenn store!
- Use steel ice grips for you boots. Trust me on this one!
- Batteries die quick in the cold so pack a few!
I took this one below the last day I was there at a pretty cool park in the woods over on an island near Bakersville. I had to drive on an ice road to get there! Lottsa deer, quite and serene, and a nice close to the trip. You could actually hear the ice cracking out in the lake as layers continually crashed over, under, and into each other. Again, very cool!
And of course, its a lot more enjoyable when you dress for the occasion…..(what a dork). In fact, its quite bearable. Definitely remember those ice cleat things though. You will thank me, I promise!
I shared it here before, but I did a video a while ago about what I packed for the trip.Did I mention it was below zero?If you are interested, you can watch it here.Lotsa great tips for a trip like this, or any trip into the ultra cold.