For the first time in five years, the ice caves on Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands are accessible, as the temperatures have dropped enough to freeze the surface and allow visitors to hike across the frozen water to the elusive caves.

Prior to the big freeze, waves splashed across the cliffs of the islands leaving ice sheets along their faces. Inside, waterfalls have frozen in place, breaking and crumbling in various places.

The caves, which have not been accessible since 2009, were announced open to the public on January 15th. The National Park Service hopes the caves will be accessible for about six weeks but is entirely weather-dependent. The caves are a huge attraction and in the first 10 days an estimated 10,000 people flocked to Meyers Beach (from where the caves are accessible after a 1 mile hike) to observe the unique formation.

Before heading to the caves, please call the Ice Line at (715) 779-3397 – extension 3, for the most current ice condition information. Visit the National Park Service for visitor information to the Ice Caves

[Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, The Reporter]