Are ice caves underground?

An Underground Icebox The wet surfaces caves and transparent nature of ice make for a delightful light show in the ice caves. Ice caves are well represented in our National Parks with such caves found at Craters of the Moon National Monument (Idaho) and at Sunset Crater National Monument (Arizona).



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They form naturally when summer meltwater carves long tunnels and caves underneath the thick ice sheets. As these are natural caves that melt and break down each summer, they're constantly changing.

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During the winter they can go down to -10°C (14°F), and even below that. They are made of ice after all! That's why it's really important that you wrap up warm when visiting the caves. If you suffer too much from the cold, you just won't enjoy the experience as much as you could.

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Glacier ice is blue because the red (long wavelengths) part of white light is absorbed by ice and the blue (short wavelengths) light is transmitted and scattered.

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Cave water is usually not good to drink or to use in a carbide light. High energy foods that won't crush are a good choice. Remember to carry out all trash.

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In fact, the USDA Forest Service has ice caves in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington state, the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, and the very well-known Big Four Ice Caves in Washington state's Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

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Formed during the ice age 3 million years ago, the Ningwu ice cave stays frozen all year round.

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