Geology Hike: Ice Caves Loop 9/11

"Fissuring Out the Past"

Join San Juan Mountains Association and the San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District for one of our interpretive nature hike series this summer! 

When you hear the term “ice cave”, thoughts of dripping ice-encrusted stalactites clinging to the icy blue ceiling of a glacial cavern may come to mind.  This hike is not that, yet it’s fascinating in its own right.  Not really caves, these are more like giant cracks; fissures in the underlying Dakota sandstone.  Varying in size from one to eight feet wide, up to a hundred feet long and 30 feet deep, these chasms are cool year-round and  often hold snow well into the summer.   Layers of rock tell a story as old as time.  Your guide will briefly explain regional geology and Morrison, Dakota and Mancos stratigraphy (Jurassic/Cretaceous) and also explain theory for the origin of ice caves.  Included is a side hike to a stunning clifftop grand vista of the San Juan Mountains in the distance, and deep riparian river vallies below.   As you drive to/from the trailhead over a dusty, gravel, county-maintained road, you'll be treated to beautiful vistas of the San Juan Mountains.  This is a loop route, partially off trail, with sustained, moderately difficult  inclines/declines, on rocky terrain near high cliffs.  Hike time is approximately 4 hours total, 3.5 miles round trip, and about 500 ft. vertical ascent.  We will finish at the parking lot just after noon, and there is a picnic area nearby if you wish to bring your own lunch to eat after the hike.