5 scenic vistas on road trip I-84 through Idaho

July 23, 3:08 PMCross Country Travel ExaminerLindsay Godfree

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Cross Country Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Sun on the Snake River by Lindsay Godfree

If you think there is nothing to see traveling through Idaho, look again.  A road trip through Idaho follows the Snake River for most of the trip and there are ever changing views of this winding snake like river through canyons and gorges that offer many photo opportunities in different seasons and lights.  Its path follows the north shore ledge of the ancient Lake Bonneville.  Many of the formations of the land are due to the thousands of years of water flow of rivers and the Lake.  (See Bonneville Salt Flats sunrise and slideshow )

 

 

Highway I-84 into Idaho  Lindsay Godfree

When Lake Bonneville crested at Red Rock Pass, Idaho, it created what is known as the Bonneville Flood.  At Swan Falls the peak discharge of the flood was an astounding 33 million cubic feet/second.  As soft soils eroded at the pass, the lake poured into the volcanic plain of the Snake River and its canyons. Today it is the evidence left behind by this tremendous flood to the Snake River area that left us the house-size boulders, box canyons, and other evidence to explore.

Snake River Canyon at Twin Falls overlook by Lindsay Godfree

Snake River Canyon is a large canyon formed by the Snake River in the Magic Valley region of southern Idaho and is best seen in Twin Falls where there is a view of a beautiful golf course deep in the canyon. It is well known as the site of an unsuccessful 1974 attempt by Evel Knievel, to jump over the canyon.  After exiting the Snake River Canyon, the Snake receives the waters of more tributaries including the Malad River.  After passing the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, the Snake flows toward Boise and the Idaho-Oregon border.

Falcon at the World Center for Birds of Prey by Lindsay Godfree

The National Conservation Area (NCA) is locate 35 miles (56 km) south of Boise, Idaho along 81 miles (130 km) of the Snake River. The conservation area covers 484,873 acres (1,962.21 km2).  The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area is home to the largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America.
 

On March 30, 2009, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 which renamed the area as the "Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area," in recognition of the contributions of Morley Nelson, a raptor expert and advocate and a leading proponent of the original creation of the National Conservation Area.

Giant Condor at Birds of Prey Center in Boise, ID

In the Snake River ecosystem supports extraordinary numbers of predators and prey. More than 700 pairs of raptors, representing 15 different species, nest on the high canyon walls. Nine additional raptor species use the Snake River area as seasonal hunting grounds during migrations or as wintering areas. Birds of Prey NCA is particularly important for prairie falcons, North America's only indigenous falcon. (See the story on the Birds of Prey Center in Boise.)

Malad Gorge overlook by Lindsay Godfree

The Malad River Canyon is 250 feet deep and 2.5 miles long. At Malad Gorge State Park, located right off Interstate 84 Exit 147, you can view the canyon and walk along the rim. The highway crosses over Malad Gorge, but the angle of view hides the deep gorge where the river cascades into Devil's Washbowl. Views of the gorge are best from the slender-but sturdy-bridge that arcs across the canyon. You can take a short hike to discover nearby fingers of the gorge where crystal clear springs produce ponds and streams. From the footbridge photographers delight in watching the interplay of light and shadows that consistently change the character of the craggy cliffs.