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Great Lakes deep freeze opens path to cathedrals of ice

Step inside a cave of ice that hasn't been accessible since 2009 – now open to visitors brave enough to trek across the frozen surface of Lake Superior
Great Lakes deep freeze opens path to cathedrals of ice

(Image: PA/AP/Minneapolis Star Tribune, Brian Peterson)

Look out below! These people appear doomed by a gigantic overhead explosion. But they’re safe. The firework-like formations are actually icicles formed by huge waves that batter the sea caves in the south-west corner of Lake Superior, just off the coast of Wisconsin.

The caves are normally inaccessible. But the exceptionally cold weather in the US this year has led to almost , creating a safe route to the caves for the first time since 2009.

Great Lakes deep freeze opens path to cathedrals of ice

(Image: NOAA)

An estimated 10,000 visitors have trekked over since the route was on 15 January.

The Parks Service says that access could remain until as late as March, but warns visitors to take no chances with creaky ice on the lake, and to beware falling ice if they do make it to the caves.