The Ice Box of New Mexico
by Thomas LaMance
Proprietor of Swap Meet 66
Just a hop, skip, and a jump southwest of Route 66 in Grants, the
Ice Caves lie at the edge of a great lava flow. Located about 25 miles from
Grants on NM 53, these huge caves are lined by ice many inches thick. The
first ice cave lies about 100 yards inside the Lava Beds. Although it's
difficult to imagine, when the temperature soars to 100 degrees or more
at the mouth of the cave, the air chills to 31 degrees just 75 feet below
the surface. Molten lava insulates Mother Nature's perpetual ice box so
that temperatures remain constant year after year. It's difficult to
estimate how many thousands of tons of ice reside in the cave. Although
the ice room measures approximately 20 by 50 feet, no one has ever found
out how far down the ice extends. Although the walls of ice are at least
eight feet high, no one has been able to estimate how far back it extends.
Evidence shows that Native Americans (Anazazi) at one time lived in
the Lava Beds. Partial Indian dwellings built with chunks of lava, as well
as many Indian trails over the rough lava beds, attest to their presence.
A variety of Indian artifacts have been found near the Ice Caves: stone
tools, weapons, wooden objects, fragments of basketry and pieces of pottery.
Some pottery dating back 1,000 years was found near the Ice Caves.
 Tom LaMance, a long time member of New
Mexico Route 66 Association, owns and operates the Route 66 Swap Meet near
Prewitt, NM. His parents homesteaded in New Mexico. Stop by for a visit
when you are passing through. |
From more recent times, a mine called "Adam's Diggings" reportedly
lies within the same vicinity. Throughout the Southwest, the word "Malpais"
(Spanish for Badlands) refers to any flow of lava, but around Grants, the
term has grown to denote the lava beds around the Ice Caves. About 250,000
acres of this lava flow conceals incredible artifacts concealing historic
happenings. No doubt the dark lava hides more secrets of bloody, romantic
and mysterious quests than any other area of its size in the continental
United States. And though it has been tramped for generations by Spanish
conquistadors, moccasined Indians, free-ranging prospectors, thieves, cowboys
and sheep herders, much of the area is still relatively unexplored. Bandera
Crater, an extinct volcano 1000' wide and 800' deep, is surrounded by a
broken cone of cinders and volcanic ash. An evergreen forest, similar to
one growing there before the enormous eruption buried it under a blanket
of lava and cinders, covers the black lava stretching to the south. In the
lava near the edge, you can still see how the molten lava congealed around
tree trunks before the trees were burned away. A climb to the top of the
crater is well worth the effort. Within the crater, a forest of trees with
some towering 100 feet, look like small Christmas trees far below. For anyone
wishing to explore further into this intriguing Malpais area, it is advisable
to get a guide, especially if you are not familiar with the area. Campers
can stay in the campground near the cave or in any of the well furnished
motels in the Grants area. For more information, contact the Cibola Chamber
of Commerce Call 1-888-ICE CAVE, e-mail: icecaves@cia-g.com, or visit their
HomePage: http://www.icecaves.com
Spring is Here!
Time to pack a lunch and explore historic Route 66 in the Land of Enchantment.
Once again we proudly present Jan Underwood's map of the Mother Road in
New Mexico...enjoy! |
