VISITING THE EBEN ICE CAVE!
Even in winter the early birds get the worms when going to visit the EBEN ICE CAVE in Michigan's upper peninsula!
We left before 8am and headed to the ice caves (its about a 2-hour drive IF we didn't stop) but its really hard to drive through Trenary, MI without stopping where Trenary Toast is made at the Trenary Home Bakery.. Don't tell anyone, but their cinnamon buns are the best I've ever put in my mouth! A perfect treat to eat or bring with on your journal to the cave.
When you leave Trenary, its a 10 minute ride north to Eben Junction and then you are just minutes away from arriving to the place where you park and walk. The earlier you arrive the closer you can park and the better chance you'll have of experiencing the cave with less people..
I suggest you bring ice cleats you can wear on your boots that will protect you from falling, without them you'll be slipping and sliding all the way there and back. For under $10 you can pick up a pair at any sporting goods store or even Walmart.
Its about a mile walk back into the woods from the entrance and there are bathrooms on-site for you to use. The parking is limited, so chances are you'll be parking on the street. Be sure you pull as far right as you can, you'll understand when you see the pictures below. However, if you come by snowmobile you can ride right up to the woods and walk from there.
My wife (above) as we walk to the ice cave..
You'll never get to experience this alone unless you are the first to arrive or the last to leave.. As you see, we were following large groups of visitors and many more this day.
The walk in isn't too bad until the first hill leading down along a rocky ridge. Be sure you take the path leading down, if you take the upper path you'll find yourself over the top of the ice cave wondering how to get down..
(THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT ICE CLEATS ON)
As you may see in the picture above, the ground is sightly slanted down so unless to have cleats or maybe a ski pole you may end up sliding down the hill as many people did.
As you follow the trail and people, you'll come across this small "bridge" made of logs that goes across a small ravine. I've seen some unable to cross and actually got down into it to cross, I guess whatever you decide is best..
Just past this point you'll find you first big obstacle where cleats will make the difference. However there is a secret way to go if this is just too much for you.. As you sit and watch people cross this deep ravine (trust me you'll enjoy watching them), step a few feet back and look left for a pathway leading down into the woods towards Silver Creek.
Truth be told we found this way on the way out and this is after times being here.. I thought it might be nice to share that with you. If you go this way, your only obstacle is the main path leading up to the ice caves that will be icy and snow packed with running water under in places.
Many will never go this way, most will stick to the main path and cross the huge ravine.. It is a really nice way to go, as you walk through the woods with eye candy in every direction. As you work your way towards the caves, keep in mind not to climb up until your down on the main path. Once you get to the top, you'll know why I said that..
Most who finally get there have to stop and take it all in.. Unless you have a really good camera with a wide lenses, you'll never get it all in one shot. Watch as people climb down from dangerous places, these are the ones who went the wrong way. Then you've got others who climb up the steep edges to take that upper path out. This is not recommended.
I've never seen the ice caves this busy before, many taking risks that weren't necessary. You should never be climbing up ice and snow with any cleats or anything on your feet.
I guess I should share the pictures now, huh?
Remember about that early bird thought? Try it!
Proper footwear is needed, even fluffy knew that!
Many were slipping and sliding without cleats.. Some even went inside the caves, but many of them ended up falling.
Have you even been inside them?
You wonder how ice formed out of walls..
See icicles hanging everywhere overhead!
If you are daring, you'll look up and see this!
As you walk out, see many more people experiencing it for the first time. I enjoyed people watching..
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