Midland Ice Caves drawing hundreds to natural phenomenon

Hundreds of New Brunswick residents are hiking several kilometres through the ice and snow to see even more ice and snow, but those who have made the trek say it's worth it.

It's something that can't be seen in any other season. A wall of pure ice, nestled away in the New Brunswick forest, forms naturally each year.

The ice wall forms a cave and it's a spectacle that brings people coming from all over the province into the woods to see.

"Oh. this is awesome," said Paul Melanson. "I've never seen anything like this. It's our first time out here to see them."

Dubbed the Midland Ice Caves, they're a phenomenon that are made one drop at a time. Water from a nearby brook drips over a cliff face and that eventually creates massive icicles that form the caves.

The wall starts at one end and grows to the other. After the walls form, someone has to come here to the caves and physically carve out a hole in the ice so people can get into them to explore.

Local residents say the caves draw over 400 people every weekend.

Jodie McMillin says it's an annual destination that her kids look forward to during the March break.

"They get really excited, and then we get half way through hiking and they get right tired. Then we get here and they get super excited," she said.

Getting to the caves from the nearest road near the community of Norton is a bit of a hike, but made easier with skis, or snowshoes.

The caves will last as long as winter does.