On the shores of Lake Superior on Bayfield Peninsula, in Wisconsin, the United States, is a popular winter attraction - the Bayfield Ice Caves. The caves were formed millions of years ago by the action of glaciers and waves that sculpted the sandstone into amazing cliffs towering over Lake Superior. During summer, the caves are inaccessible and can be viewed only from the water. But when the lake freezes in the winter, visitors can walk over the frozen lake surface and access one of northern Wisconsin’s most stunning natural formations. Inside the caves, the water dripping from the ceiling freezes into thousands of icicles, while the entrances become framed by frozen waterfalls that extend to the top of the cliff. These ice formations take a variety of shapes that changes from chamber to chamber and from day to day. This is why many people make an annual visit to the Bayfield ice caves to see the latest exhibits on display.
Photo credit: Chicago Tribune
Although each year thousands of visitors trek out to experience the beauty, the trek over the frozen ice is dangerous as the ice can be slippery and there is always the risk of cracks and breakage. The lake also doesn’t freeze every year to make the visit possible. Last year was the first time in five years that the caves were open in the winter. The caves have opened this year too.
Photo credit: Chicago Tribune
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