Continued calm, cold weather could allow people to access ice caves near Apostle Islands

BAYFIELD (AP) — Continued calm and cold weather could create the right conditions for people to access the ice caves on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands again this year.

Julie Van Stappen is chief of planning and resource management for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

She tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/1Dix4tk ) there's a "very good chance" that thick and stable ice along the shoreline could happen if cold temperatures and low winds continue. But she says they should have a better idea next month.

The caves opened last Jan. 15 for the first time in five years. Over two months, an estimated 138,000 visitors made the mile trek to view the ice formations. The popularity prompted the park service to propose a $5 fee. The proposal hasn't yet been approved.

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