Icicle Shrine

Like many people, I made my way up to the Apostle Islands seashore ice caves this year to make the hike out across frozen Lake Superior. It was a long 7 hour drive to my hotel after work Friday night. I got up early having heard the parking gets crazy and drove the last hour. I arrived at about 7 am and barely got a spot in the parking lot. By the time I left in mid afternoon cars were parked for miles down the road. Most of those people didn't go much past the first 1/2 mile of cave area.

This particular image is from a cave that was pointed out to me by a young'n standing near it. This was most of the way to the far end of the caves...where I think the caves were the best. This one was not really noticeable and I'd have missed it if not for his curiosity and then sharing. The opening was very small...I couldn't get my backpack in the opening which I had to belly crawl and wiggle through.

Somehow I squeezed in despite the massive amounts of layers and was treated to a stunning site. There was the opening above the wall I had squeezed through. You couldn't see the opening from outside because of the hanging icicles. The room itself was only about 6'x6' but fairly tall.

I spent a while in the cave enjoying it. I could have spent hours just sitting in there. I tried to find it again on my way back, but missed it.

I wish I had known it is allowable to head out there at night. I'd definitely do that next time I get the opportunity to head out there. I'll behave and not hope for that cold a winter just yet, though. ;)

a7r, sony 10-18 @ 16mm, iso 100 f11 1/80

Appreciate your thoughts,
Jeff