Ice caves are once again forming along the shoreline of Lake Michigan outside Traverse City.

The caves were formed by wind and waves pushing new ice on top of existing ice. In 2014, the ice caves that came into view on Lake Michigan were one of the biggest winter attractions around.

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According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, the Great Lakes are now more than 85 percent iced over.

Eric Lepaugh lives in Glen Arbor and says when he saw the mounds forming on Lake Michigan he knew he would find something great if he braved the cold.

"There are mounds that you can see from the shore and that's kind of where you might be able to see 'well that could be an ice cave to go check it out,'" he said.

Thirty-foot ice formations were spotted on Leelanau County's shoreline last winter, drawing many visitors. LePaugh suggested not to walk on top of the mound as it's hollow inside and anyone can fall through and break a leg.

LaPaugh has some precautions for those visitors. He never goes out alone, stressing the buddy system and telling a third-party where he is going, when he's going and what time he should be returning.

"I thought it was amazing. It is not big and the opening is quite small but when you get in, it opens up and there are these amazing icicles and stalagmites hanging down as what really caught my attention because not every ice cave is the same," he added.

Tagslake michigan, ice cave, ice formation, caves, Michigan, NOAA