We parked on the side of the road at the first snow covered road section (about a mile from the Guler Ice Caves) and walked in. Although the first snow road area wasn't that bad in the big scheme of things...it was the first of 4 snow sections that got progressively deeper and longer. Good call to park and hike in.
Hiking the 1 mile in the snow wasn't too bad - we didn't need snow shoes - but it was soft snow that was a little slushy at the top. Not too bad and there were some bare road areas in places. Note: when you turn into the ice cave parking area, there are some major puddles under the snow. Stay on the main path.
At the ice cave entrance, the top 5 or 6 stairs were clear, but then they progressively got snowier as we went down. The bottom section was completely buried under snow. Definitely need snow-trax or crampons for traction. Note: the informational plaque outside of the ice cave entrance has a great map of the cave system. Take a picture for use inside.
Once we got to the bottom of the staircase/snow mound it was beautiful. Definitely still icy while we were there. We made it to the crystal grotto (to the right) and to the bridge (left), but weren't able to go farther toward the back of the cave and the lava seal. Maybe if we didn't have two teens with us we might have been more adventurous - and if everyone had crampons...but it was a new experience and very unique.
Don't forget your glow sticks. It was fun to light up the ice with different colors.
I hope to go back later this summer or early fall. The ice might be less, but we can go to the end of the cave, visit the Guler cheese cave, and the underground rock bridges.
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