Bayfield/Apostle Island Ice Caves

[woodside]

There is a good chance the caves may be open this coming weekend. Here is what has been posted on Facebook:

'If conditions remain as they are, the ice caves will open on Saturday February 28. Rangers checked the ice today and found the walk to the ice caves very treacherous. Large areas of bare ice create extremely slippery conditions. Near the caves, piles of fractured ice sheets make footing rough and unsteady. Wear sturdy boots with ice cleats on the soles and carry ski poles to prevent slipping. Avoid recently formed cracks in the ice near the base of the cliffs. Do not stand under large icicles. Conditions can change rapidly so check this facebook page or the park's website before coming. (nh)'
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore."

I get questions about riding snowmobiles to the caves. The policy is that snowmobiles must stay more than 1/2 mile the National Island Lakeshore. There is no trail that leads to the access/parking area of the caves. The caves are 1.1 miles from the access/parking area.

I will never trust the ice conditions on Lake Superior thus I will never take my sled on the lake. We drove the Ice Road to Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island Sunday. From the park, it was very easy to see numerous narrow sections of open water or very thin ice.

We have lodging at our cottages if you decide to come on up. The trail conditions are very good.
gary
www.woodsidecottages.com

 

[ezra]

I saw they were going to charge to go out and see them now

 

[vmax1994]

http://www.startribune.com/local/294098921.html

 

[woodside]

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore announced a new recreation permit fee for Meyers Beach if and when there are ice caves. There will be a daily fee of $5 per person for those 16 and older and an annual pass of $10 per person for those who plan to visit the ice caves multiple times. The $5 fee will be collected onsite at the Meyers Road parking area. The annual permit, however, must be purchased at Park Headquarters in Bayfield. This is a cost recovery fee that will only be collected if there are ice caves and used to support the ice caves event.

Normally, the Meyers Beach parking area has a fee of $3 which can be paid after parking. During an ice caves event, the fee for the Meyers Beach parking area will be waived