Canyon Creek Ice Cave

Canyon Creek Ice Cave

The Canyon Creek Ice Cave, also known as the Moose Mountain Ice Cave is potentially one of the more popular caves in the Calgary area. Located on the Southern flank of Moose Mountain and accessible from Highway 66. Though the road leading to the base of Moose Mountain has been closed many cycle or hike their way in and ascend to the cave, around 7KM each way.

The cave was formed primarily by water enlarging fractures within the slightly soluble limestone, with its entrance considerably enlarged by large-scale frost wedging during freeze-thaw cycles, similar to the phreatic or vadose caves often found in Canada. Much of the cave has subsequently been sealed off by permanent ice, and during the winter months beautiful ice formations are sometimes seen near the entrance. The cave has large amounts of loose rock, and care should be taken when hiking to cave, as the approach slopes were the site of a fatality due to rockfall from careless hikers.

The cave has been subject to considerable vandalism and damage in its history, with spray paint markings and garbage left behind. Visitors should respect cave formations, and leave no garbage or human waste inside the cave.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyon_Creek_Ice_Cave




Canyon Creek Ice Cave is the first of our soundwalks exploring the geographical land that we call home in Alberta.