I’m not into spelunking, nor am I an ice-climber. Somehow I find myself doing a tiny bit of both some 30 minutes away in the outskirts from the town of Rifle, Colorado. (ok, maybe that’s embellishing on the spelunking and ice-climbing part)
Along the way to the ice caves is Rifle Falls State Park with a starting elevation of 6500 feet. The peak is about another 100 above where the spectacular triple falls descend.
Another prominent leaf in these parts of the mountains is the Gambel’s Oak. (Quercus Gambelii). These shrubs grow tight in a bunch. Their root reaches out from underground starting and overlap growth to another bush. The deeply lobed-leaf stands out with its rustic color against the white snow backdrop.
The Ice Palace (lower ice cave)
Walking on ice can be very dangerous. Have proper hiking shoes and wear crampons or similar ice traction attached to the bottom of shoes.
When ice crystals get compressed, the air inside squeezes the bubbles out and the ice crystals enlarge. Without the air bubbles, light penetrate ice without interference, thus creating the ice’s blue color.
Final Curtain (Upper Ice Cave)
Following Koper’s Trail will lead you to the upper cave. If the east entrance is almost shut with ice, the trails continues by the stream just a little further down to the west entrance.
Unlike the initial curse in Disney’s magical kingdom Arendelle, these ice caves are not doomed to be in perpetual winter. Soon winter and spring will reconcile. “Love will thaw.” The weather will slowly warm up to melt these stalactites. Greenery will return for yet another season.
For address and driving directions please visit: Rifle Mountain Park
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© 2021 Raj Manickam