05/17/2026
65°F outside… 26°F inside ❄️
Yes, really.
On May 9, hikers at Ice Mountain found ice still hanging on inside the Grand Vent—even as it felt like a perfect spring day everywhere else. Just outside the vent, the rocks were 35°, but step a little closer, and you’re suddenly standing in air that feels like winter.
It’s all part of the mountain’s natural “refrigeration effect,” where cold air flows out of hidden rock vents and creates a one-of-a-kind habitat. Because of that, you’ll find rare, cold-loving plants here that you wouldn’t expect to see this far south—and a hiking experience that’s honestly hard to describe until you feel it yourself. There’s something wild about walking through the woods and hitting a pocket of cold air in the middle of May.
If you’ve never been, Ice Mountain Preserve is only open through scheduled hikes with our amazing docents—and it’s absolutely worth making the time. Come see (and feel) it for yourself!
☎️ Call 304-496-7359 to schedule your tour today.
📸 Ken Cladwell
