Note: Winter ONLY
Frey Rd, Deerton, MI 49822
WEBSITE
For the next leg of our awesome UP Winter adventure, we headed about 45 minutes southeast of Marquette to the tiny town of Eben Junction. It’s here where you’ll find a trailhead that takes you about a mile and a half back to the world famous Eben Ice Caves. People from all over the world make this trip to witness one of the finest frozen phenomenon you’ll find in Michigan.
Now because we’re hiking into the wilderness area of the Hiawatha National Forest … I thought it best to have a guide … and guess who I got? It’s the one and only Tasha Stielstra …
Now you may remember Tasha from such TV shows as “Under the Radar” episode 808. She and her husband Ed own and operate Natures Kennel where they took us on an absolutely incredible dogsled ride across the frozen tundra. And they’ll take you too. Well, turns out she also occasionally conducts tours of the Eben Ice Caves. What are the chances?
Well, since we had all of our gear and Tasha was hear, we shed our fear and hit the trail. Now Matt had the foresight to bring a sled … which at first I thought was for me. But turns out it was for the equipment. And young Nate made sure I pulled my fair share. Doh !!!
Now, even with the two feet of fresh snow from the blizzard, the trek across the field wasn’t to far or to bad. And the first part of the walk through the woods was even a thick piece of snowy cake. But then things got a bit more challenging and a ton more beautiful.
The terrain got steeper … the trail narrower … and the scenery more incredible with every step. We were in complete awe. This truly was an unbelievable winter wonderland. Heck … the white stuff was so deep, parts of the trail even turned into snow slides …
And then …. just when we thought we might have taken a wrong turn … it happened. … the Eben Ice Caves”
There they were tucked away in a little canyon where only hardy adventure seekers could find’m. And when you first set eyes on’m … suddenly the whole arduous endeavor becomes totally worth it.
This was an awesome experience and we had the entire place to ourselves, Bonus. So we took our time … had some fun … explored the caves … and soaked in all of the beauty and serenity.
In the meantime young Nate turned the whole place into his own personal snow park. He had an absolute blast exploring, slipping and sliding. And speaking of slipping and sliding … without our ice cleats … I don’t think I would have even attempted this trip.
To be honest … if you’re not sure footed or in relatively good shape, you should probably let us do the hiking for you and see the caves right here on your trusty UTR.
Well, another day down and yet another UTR adventure lived. The Eben Ice Caves really are as cool as they look. But, just remember … if you do plan to make the hike in, be careful and be respectful. That way the good folks who own the surrounding land will keep letting all of us in to enjoy these cool caves. Did I say cool … I meant COLD !