Your Inner Adventurer Won't Be Able To Resist The Allure Of This Cave Near Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published May 23, 2019
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Have you ever dreamed of discovering another world hiding in plain sight? While there may not be a passage to Narnia hiding here in Northeast Ohio, there are plenty of caves and rock overhangs hiding amidst the area’s many sandstone ledges and bluffs. These natural treasures are often closed to the public for the sake of safety, though some are well-trafficked and easy to access. Today we’re exploring one such place, and it’s absolutely otherworldly.
Prepare for adventure, because we’re going to trek along the lovely one-mile Ledges Trail in search of an incredible cave.
Ledges Trail opened to the public in 2011 and it has been a local favorite ever since. This lovely trail is located in the incredible expanse of Liberty Park, a small piece of a rather impressive campus.
Address:9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, OH, 44087
Glacier Cave, as it is known locally, is one of the most accessible local caves open to the public.
This rock formation is incredible. It features stunning strata, or layers, which are uniquely textured by the presence of moss and lichens.
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This grotto features a natural vaulted ceiling that allows quite a bit of sunlight to trickle in, meaning the cave is not a typical bat-laden hideaway.
If you’re concerned about encountering bats in your cave exploration, don’t be. These nocturnal critters do not live in this cave, though they can be found in other crevices throughout the park.
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During your visit, you’ll definitely want to use bug repellent and gear up with hiking boots.
While bats may not live in this cave, some of their favorite snacks (bugs) are plentiful in the cave and along the trail. Hiking boots are essential for this trip, as the trail is somewhat rugged. The path is unpaved and is often muddy.
The grotto’s surrounding sandstone ledges are remnants of an ancient ocean that once covered the area about 300 million years ago, and bits of history are preserved within.
Sand and organic debris from this ancient ocean are trapped in the rock; an ancient work of art that has the power to make visitors feel the enormity of life and the depth of history that stretches far beyond our lifetimes.
Amazingly, the cave itself is a much newer development in the history of this stone.
As its name suggests, Glacier Cave is a crevice that was formed by glacial activity during the Pleistocene era - the most recent ice age - meaning the cave is somewhere between 12,000 and 2 million years old.
If you’ve been craving an opportunity to get into spelunking or caving, now is your chance.
Spelunking is a unique hobby. While many think of cave exploration as an extreme hobby that involves venturing into tight places with little light, this easy-to-access crevice is the perfect way to try out this hobby before you embark on a more challenging adventure.
