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Sheriff says Lake Michigan ice caves in Leelanau County no longer safe because of winds, thaw

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Ice Caves
    Image 1 of 3

    People take photos of the frozen waters and snow of Lake Michigan that have formed huge ice caves along the shore of northern Leelanau County, between Northport and Leland, Mich., on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Sub-zero temperatures in late December through mid-January, along with strong winds and heavy snowfall, created the huge ice ridges several hundred feet from shore. (AP Photo/John L. Russell) (The Associated Press)

  • 35aca8cd-Ice Caves
    Image 2 of 3

    People take photos of the frozen waters and snow of Lake Michigan that have formed huge ice caves along the shore of northern Leelanau County, between Northport and Leland, Mich., on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Sub-zero temperatures in late December through mid-January, along with strong winds and heavy snowfall, created the huge ice ridges several hundred feet from shore. (AP Photo/John L. Russell) (The Associated Press)

  • f87c54c6-Ice Caves
    Image 3 of 3

    People look at an ice cave at Lake Michigan along the shore of northern Leelanau County, between Northport and Leland, Mich., on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Sub-zero temperatures in late December through mid-January, along with strong winds and heavy snowfall, created the huge ice ridges several hundred feet from shore. (AP Photo/John L. Russell) (The Associated Press)

LELAND, Mich. – Authorities in northern Michigan say it's no longer safe to visit spectacular ice caves that have formed along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Milder temperatures and high winds have broken up the ice sheet on the lake side of the formations, and open water is visible near the caves. Large cracks have opened on some of the arches.

Thousands of people flocked to the area to see the caves last weekend, with lines of cars stretching more than 2 miles along narrow rural roads in Leelanau County, northwest of Traverse City.

A 21-year-old man was seriously injured Wednesday after falling 12 feet from one of the caves.