Bearpaw Kipuka

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, D: 8 miles.
Difficulty: Levels I, II+.
Season: May 1-October 15.
USGS Map: Pratt Butte.
BLM 100K Map: Arco, Craters of the Moon.
Dirt Road Miles: 14 gravel, 8 good dirt, 1 1/2 poor dirt.
PLSS Location: Section 36, T1N R26E.

Introduction: This kipuka is the most accessible one on the Great Rift's eastern edge (but that's not necessarily saying much). It is notable for its extensive, lush grass stands. Another attraction here is the Blue Dragon Flow. This is a wonder of the world--a pahoehoe flow with an iridescent blue coating found nowhere else on Earth. You will never forget this lava! As with all kipukas, do not even think about building a fire: use stoves only.
  There are three reasons why this hike is rated Level III. First, there are some routefinding problems. Although the bright green kipuka is visible all the way in, your car may not be visible all the way out. Second, the Blue Dragon Flow is very fragile. Its blue surface is flaking off the red-brown lava underneath, and this makes for occasional surprises. Surprises aren't fun when hiking the lava!
  Third, the cracks you confront are above average in width. The leading edge of a flow is cooler than the center, and tends to form crusts that are successively piled up one against the other. These crusts are called pressure ridges; the ones on this hike are medium sized, with wide cracks.

The Hike: There's not much to say about the actual hike. As you leave your car, be sure to look back (east) and check the alignment of the summits of Quaking Aspen and Big Southern Buttes. Quaking Aspen should be a bit to the left of Big Southern.
  The road you came on continues into the lava for a short distance. The author hiked it to its dismal end, and then cut west a bit before heading for the kipuka. This initial stretch is rough. Most of the time you'll want to stay high, if possible; that way the kipuka will be visible.
  In the middle stretch, there are long reaches of lower, flatter ground to walk. These go quickly, but pace yourself: this is a long lava hike.
  As you approach the kipuka, you encounter large collapsed areas, but also long streches of wide, flat flow. In addition, there are occasional small, intimate areas of excellent ropy pahoehoe mixed with very blue Blue Dragon.
  At last you are at the kipuka. It has good camping on sandy areas at the east end. From the summit, your attention is magically drawn towards Hidden Valley Butte (called Blacktail Butte on USGS maps), almost due south. The author was also intrigued by the possibility of hiking from Craters of the Moon Monument's Caves Trail to here, following the main Blue Dragon Flow.
  On your return, use your compass, watch for the road, and keep an eye on the two buttes.

Access: This drive takes you along the best portion of the Arco-Minidoka Road. South of here, the route turns to fair dirt, with occasional worse stretches. A graveled route with occasional primitive campsites would be a real boon to the area. However, it seems like we will get a paved highway or nothing...and most likely, nothing. A typical lack of vision by the BLM and locals...
  Start about 2 miles west of the main Arco junction of US-20/26/93 (1/4 mile west of the Lost River bridge). This unsigned road is the north end of the Arco-Minidoka Road; go south on it (W1). Stay on its good gravel, bearing left at the Huddle's hole road 4 3/4 miles in. At a main junction a long 14 miles from the highway, bear right in the direction of Bear Trap Cave. The road gets a bit rougher past here. Five miles later, after you have traversed the west side of Quaking Aspen Butte, turn right (west) on a fairly good unsigned road (W2).
  After a short 1/2 mile, you come to a confusing double intersection (W3). Bear left (straight) at the initial junction; go straight (bear right) after a short 1/4 mile, so you continue west. Soon you see Reservoir Number 5, which appears on the USGS Pratt Butte map. You soon come to a triangle intersection with a road that parallels the lava edge, heading north-south. First bear left, then go straight, continuing west to the lava edge. (The author once got lost here and turned right, ending up heading north for a long ways before recovering... Good luck!)
  From here, the road deteriorates. Gutsy cars shouldn't have trouble, but others may wish to park here and walk the last 1 1/2 miles to the trailhead, where the road encounters a hump in old lava. If you can drive to the top of the hump, your car will be visible on the way back.