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| Hiking | 1.20 Miles |
150 AEG |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Written 2-18-2026. Another item I've been wanting to see for a long time; almost saw it a decade ago but we were in a hurry to get to Cottonwood ID. There is a very nice park here to observe Shoshone Falls. Often referred to as the "Niagara of the West," it is 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide, making it higher than Niagara Falls. Shoshone Falls is a 14,000-year-old remnant of the Ice Age caused by massive floods from Lake Bonneville cutting through basalt, often controlled by a nearby power plant since 1906.
A lot of people but not too bad. The history and geology of the area is quite fascinating. We did the touristy walk around and picture taking before heading up to the next level via Tonto and foot. It was a nice walk up to who knows what as we really didn't know.
The trail changes its name to Canyon Rim Trail. Along the way we saw the Shoshone Falls Arch and the wide and beautiful Snake River. We came upon a view to cement stairs down to probably what was an old overlook. Later there was a rock outcropping that contained some sort of cave. The flora was interesting as well. We arrived at another walk out viewpoint toward Shoshone Falls. This one was higher so you got a great look at the Snake River Canyon The canyon ranges up to 500 feet deep and 0.25 miles wide, and runs for just over 50 miles.
and to above the falls and the terrain. The Snake River flows through one of the greatest volcanic plains in the world.
We could see kayakers/canoers below us. I'm sure Wendy would have liked that. We continued upward and came to our turnaround point, but got to see some rather large side waterfalls coming out of the canyon wall.
The day before I had found a private tour we could take that looked interesting so we did that. We were both pleasantly surprised at all the things to see just outside of Twin Falls including lots of potential hikes and such. I was so impressed when I was doing my videos, I just wanted you all to know there's lots to do around the area. The places we stopped included:
Nihart Fountain - On long trips during the 1950s, the family would stop for water. It comes right out of the mountain. Wendy and I both took a drink... very tasty. These features of Idaho are very unique and a gift from nature. It was 600,000 years ago when the Bonneville Flood created the canyons and scoured the rocks along the walls. The underground springs were exposed. There are some 33 waterfalls all in a one half hour drive from Twin Falls.
Riverence Provisions - a pleasant unexpected surprise checking out the sturgeon swimming around in a shallow pond as it was being cleaned. We approach breeding holistically, with the fish’s ability to succeed in a changing environment in mind. Our farming and processing operations in Idaho’s Magic Valley, are collectively the largest producer of farmed trout and steelhead in the Americas.
Box Canyon Springs Preserve - a breathtaking moment looking at the strikingly clear spring pools below  . The springs are the 11th largest in North America, flowing at a rate of 180,000 gallons per minute.
Malad Gorge Devil's Wash Bowl - this involved walking across the bridge to peer down into the gorge with water running and falling far below. considered the crown jewel of Thousand Springs State Park in Idaho. The gorge is a spectacular, narrow canyon carved by the Malad River through basalt rock. It is approximately 250 feet deep and 2.5 miles long. The gorge is known for its unique geological formation, where water from an underground aquifer system exits the canyon walls.
Thousand Springs Park Hagerman Fossil Beds NM - a pleasant surprise. Although, I did educate the Ranger about the Columbia Mammoths up at Tolo Lake (near Cottonwood ID) as he did not know about them. Hagerman Fossil Beds preserves one of the world's richest sites for Pliocene Epoch fossils, dating from four to three million years old. It is particularly famous for having the largest concentration of the extinct Hagerman Horse fossils in North America. The site represents more than 140 species of ancient plants and animals.
A quick look-see at the Owsley Bridge constructed in 1921 and was the first bridge made for vehicles to cross the Snake River in this area. It is a continuous cantilevered through-truss bridge, a unique design for the state highway system.
And lest we forget or didn't realize, Idaho was on the Oregon Trail Overlook - You can view the ruts from the wagons who used these lands as one of the routes to Oregon during the great rush West. There are signs on the paths to explain some of the significance of the park.
On our way to the finale, we drove by one of the 33 waterfalls Lemon Falls within a short distance of Twin Falls. I think the reason, being lower elevationthere are so many, is interesting. It was 600,000 years ago when the Bonneville Flood created the canyons and scoured the rocks along the walls. The underground springs were exposed.
Our last stop was pretty impressive. We all like our geology and this was a nice area for that. Balanced Rock of 40 tone, rests on a pedestal scarcely three feet wide by about 17 inches across, which makes its towering form all the more remarkable.
The rock stands near Salmon Falls Creek Canyon, our next stop, a rugged desert canyon with sudden drops and unexpected pockets of greenery. Centuries ago, volcanic eruptions deposited layers of lava, which hardened into rhyolite. The Salmon Falls Creek valley served as a trade route between the Native American groups of the Snake River Plain and Great Basin.
And, yes, I put together some videos of this wonderful experience and scenery. Twin Falls - well worth a visit:
Shoshone Falls Park and hike - [ youtube video ]
Part 1 Nihart Fountain/spring and Riverence Fishery [ youtube video ]
Part 2 Box Canyon and Malad Gorge Springs [ youtube video ]
Part 3 Thousand Springs NM/Hagermann Horse and Owsley Bridge [ youtube video ]
Part 4 Oregon Trail and Balanced Rock/Park [ youtube video ]
Aug 9th, we headed for Las Vegas via the Great Basin. I had not been through there before and it was another, glad we did. So you see, if you get the opportunity to drive the 93, you will be rewarded; just be careful. [ youtube video ] including stop at Pony Express area. |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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