Upper Snake River Plain Text

The Upper Snake River Plain

On a clear day in Idaho Falls, your attention is inevitably drawn northwest to the Lemhis, east to the Tetons, and northeast to Yellowstone. But Idaho Falls is surrounded not just by those distant mountains, but by nearby desert: high quality desert, open to hiking long before the mountains are free of snow.
The Upper Snake River Plain's hikes extend from the Lake Channel to Yellowstone. The contrast couldn't be greater: Lake Channel is a long-dry river bed with dry cataracts, while Yellowstone is the source of broad rivers that plunge over numerous waterfalls. In between the two, you find sand dunes, new lava, and increasingly lush vegetation.

Massacre Rocks State Park, along I-86, is worthy of mention. Ne interstate construction put vehicles slightly closer to the park, but added hiking access to Register Rock and a new ultrasuper trail winding along the edge of the cliffs above the Snake. The Park's nature trail burned in the mid-1980's, and the vegetation there still doesn't look too good; but it may yet recover.

One of east Idaho's greatest hiking goals is still unattainable: Middle Butte, the only wilderness summit of the trio of Big Southern, Middle, and East Buttes. Some day, INEEL will relinquish this bit of unused land, and open it up to hikers.

One intriguing area is northeast of Crystal Ice Cave. Cottrell's Blowout, Inferno Chasm, Wild Horse Corrall, and Sullivan's Cave make fun hiking and viewing. Perhaps the author will revisit them and work up a hike...

Last, the author wishes for a scenic drive east of Craters, preferably one that takes in Big Southern Butte and Cinder Cone Butte. Suggestions are very welcome!