Statewide - Idaho

« Historical Trails
Prior to completion of the railroad in
1869, more than half a million people
literally walked through Idaho and
across the west on the Oregon Trail,
the greatest migration in American
history. Several alternative trails cross
southern Idaho as well. Along the
California Trail at City of Rocks, intrepid
pioneers inscribed their names in axle
grease on the great spires.
South central Idaho was the place
to cross the Snake River, at either
Thousand Springs or Three Island
Crossing. Wagon ruts can still be
seen across southern Idaho.
parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
Burley/Rupert
East of Twin Falls is Burley, set along the
Snake River, with several parks that are
ideal for swimming, fishing, or waterskiing.
Each June, the Idaho Regatta
takes place here—a three-day speedboat
spectacular featuring the nation’s
finest flat-bottom boats that reach top
speeds of more than 140 mph.
Northeast of Burley is Rupert, a charming
small city with a town square
adorned by the beautifully restored
Wilson Theater. A short drive northeast
of the town is Lake Walcott and the
25-mile-long Minidoka National Wildlife
Refuge. The gentle waters here favor
the growth of aquatic plants that provide
food for waterfowl and fish. Lake
Walcott State Park on the northwest
end of the lake is a good spot for camping
and fishing, with a boat ramp and
developed facilities.
If the geology of the area hasn’t inspired
you yet, ask the staff at the Mini-Cassia
Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center
about the Great Rift, one of only two
such geologic features on earth. A
primary fissure system responsible
for much of the fascinating geology of
south central Idaho, the Great Rift is the
« For the upwardly mobile »
Lake Walcott State Park
most recent volcanic rift in the U.S.,
extending more than 65 miles across
the Snake River Plain. At 635 square
miles, it’s the earth’s largest and deepest
rift. Over the last 115,000 years,
it has emitted lava flows that have
resulted in spatter cones, ice caves and
cinder cones.
South of Burley, there is more outstanding
and unusual geology at Castle Rocks
State Park and City of Rocks National
Reserve. Huge granite columns, up to
2.5 billion years old and 60 stories high,
loom over a 500-acre windswept valley.
There are more than 700 charted routes
for the finest granite-crag rock climbing
anywhere. The City of Rocks is also
an important California Trail landmark.
Today, you can still see the pioneers’
inscriptions on rocks. On your way to
City of Rocks, you’ll pass Oakley, a town
founded by Mormon emigrants in 1878.
The entire town is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places due to the
outstanding collection of old stone and
brick buildings.
As you drive through the area, you
can’t help but notice Cache Peak, the
highest mountain in Idaho south of the
Snake River (10,339 feet). One of the
oldest and best of Idaho’s ski resorts is
here just outside of Albion—Pomerelle
Mountain Resort. This small, familyowned
ski area is a great place for
winter fun, especially for young children
just learning to ski or snowboard. If
snowmobiling is your passion, the area
provides a variety of terrain and consistent
snow quality. In summer, Pomerelle
offers scenic chairlift rides for mountain
biking or hiking, as well as volleyball
and horseshoe pits.
visitidaho.org |
63
Bighorn sheep
City of Rocks
City of Rocks
Pike Mountain Trail
Thousand Springs State Park