ICE CAVE

Located in a section of Banderas collapsed lava tube, the perpetual Ice Cave's temperature never rises above 31? F. The natural layers of ice have been forming for over 3,400 years. The perpetual Ice Cave is a natural phenomenon made possible by a combination of physical factors forming a natural ice box; a 20 foot thick mass of ice accumulating in a well insulated cave of porous lava and shaped just right to trap cold air, continually generating new ice as rain water and snow melt seep down and freeze.

The trail to the Ice Cave is nearly a quarter mile long and takes 20 minutes round trip to complete. The viewing platform is located 70 steps from the landing at the upper surface of the lava tube. Note the unusual transition in temperature throughout the descent. At the viewing platform, you are inside the cave but do not loose sight of day light, The Ice Cave is a sacred place with a 1,200 year history of human interaction dating back to the Anasazi era and continuing to this day as a spiritually and refreshingly cool, peaceful