In the depth of Michigan winters extraordinary natural ice formations appear along the Great Lakes and in some rocky terrain. Winter temperatures and snow have been late this winter but the recent deep freeze will help create these amazing formations. They last for a brief time but add a stunning dimension to the coldest times of year that is both fascinating and beautiful.
Sandstone cliffs in the central Upper Peninsula seep water year-round creating spectacular ice formations as the water freezes into stalactite-like structures. Visiting these sites safely requires preparation and assessment of the current conditions, which are affected by temperature and weather conditions. Each year the Eben Ice Caves form in the Hiawatha National Forest Rock River Canyon Wilderness near Eben Junction, 15 miles west of Munising. This wilderness site is accessed by a two-mile foot trail starting at a parking lot on private land. Both the trail and the ice caves can be very icy and slippery, so visitors should consider using snowshoes with metal teeth, crampons or yak tracs to access the site.
In Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PIRO) the spectacular sandstone cliffs create ice columns ranging from 20 to 50 feet in height. Ice formations in PIRO are most accessible by car near Sand Point, while Miners Falls and Miners Basin Falls require multiple mile ski or snowshoe treks.
Ice formations on the shoreline of the Great Lakes result from wave action combined with the cold. Please note that traveling onto ice on any of the Great Lakes is potentially hazardous as the ice is unstable and constantly shifting.
On the Lake Michigan shoreline if conditions are right, balls of ice as big as softballs can be created and wash up on the beaches. Holland State Park was the site of this amazing sight in 2020. In some years when the weather and lake conditions are right amazing ice caves have formed in Lake Michigan along the Leelenau Peninsula. This extraordinary phenomenon occurred in late January and February 2014.
Along the Lake Superior shoreline on the Keweenaw Peninsula and elsewhere as ice piles up the wave action continues underneath and “ice volcanoes” are created. Much like real volcanoes, the pressure of the wave action opens up weak spots in the ice and water will come shooting out of the hole created. Over time, cone shaped ice domes form as the water continues to spray out of the hole and coat the cones.
In addition to nature’s handiwork creating marvelous ice formations, look for human made ice sculptures in many parts of the state. The Michigan Technical University in Houghton is home to an amazing array of snow sculptures each year as part of the Winter Carnival.
Get outside and enjoy the beauty of Michigan’s winter. If you are prepared for the cold and understand and avoid unsafe conditions on the ice, you’ll have a unique and memorable experience.