We are getting an early start today, which in winter means leaving by 7:30am. This is the last 260 miles of my drive home from a holiday visit to family and friends in California. Little did I know that today’s first 25 miles along ID-33 East would be so glorious. East Butte at left, Middle Butte right, are two of three volcanic domes that grace the landscape as we journey through the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho. Come on along as we take a quick look at this unique area.
ID-33 (red oval) takes us along the southern end of three mountain ranges that border the Snake River Plain. We won’t go into the amazing geology of this area now. When we return to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, we’ll have lots of geology to discuss. For now here’s a diagram and a very condensed, over-simplified explanation.
We are traveling the main Snake River Plain, running southwest (about where the word River begins) to northeast (where oval ends) for about 200 miles. The Plain is the result of the North American plate drifting over a hot spot in the earth’s crust millions of years ago.
A long chain of volcanos, almost in a straight line toward the northeast, began erupting about 13 million years ago. The volcanos were progressively younger at the northeast end of the chain. The “youngest” is the Yellowstone Volcano, last erupting about 600,000 years ago. The hot spot is currently under Yellowstone National Park (yellow flaming circle–no worries😉), which is still a very active volcano with the “next big one” always on people’s minds. I have no inside information, but as long as the geysers erupt, fumaroles vent, and hot springs boil, the underground pressure is being released and I’m happy. Never hesitate to come and enjoy the wonderland called Yellowstone!
Back to the Snake River Plain. Under the weight of all the volcanic rock spewed from the volcanos, the Plain became a depression. Many areas of the Plain have elevations between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, but this area rises 3,700 to 6,400 feet with surrounding mountains soaring to over 12,000 feet.
The Snake River is the ninth longest river in the US. It begins in the southwest corner of Yellowstone and travels 1,078 miles, joining the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities of southern Washington. The river winds through the Plain carving canyons, providing hydroelectric power, filling aquifers, and giving us beautiful waterfalls.
Yesterday we saw Big Southern Butte, one of the largest volcanic domes on earth. It rises 2,500 feet above the lava fields that make up this area. Big Southern, Middle, and East Buttes are in nearly a straight line pointing northeast to Yellowstone. Big Southern stands furthest west about 20 miles from Middle Butte. It is about seven miles between Middle and East Butte.
Right now, though, we need to slow down, smile, and bask in the gorgeous early morning’s golden light defining the landscape! The snow-capped mountains of the Lost River Range contrast with the golden terrain down here on the Plain. Borah Peak, about 50 miles north, is Idaho’s highest peak at 12,667. The 75-mile long Lost River Range is the highest range in Idaho with 160 peaks above 10,000 feet and home to seven of Idaho’s nine “12-ers“ (mountains over 12,000 feet high). As you know, I don’t do intense elevation climbs, but if you climb mountains, this is an amazing destination.
Continuing on ID-33, we drive through farm country between two beautiful mountains ranges: The Lost River Range to the west and the Lehmi Range to the east. The snowcapped Lost River Range peaks sparkle as the sun rises.
The golden early-morning beauty of farmland at rest for winter in Howe, ID. The Lehmi Mountain Range heads northwest giving Little Lost River Valley its eastern border. The Lehmi Range is a narrow 100-mile long range with 118 peaks above 10,000 feet. Spectacular mountains with the contrasting beauty of golden farmland. We have got to come back!
Well, it is 8 degrees outside with a snowy forecast for later, so it is time to head home. I hope you enjoyed our quick look at a golden morning along ID-33. Next time we will visit in a warmer season and stay longer. The Snake River Plain and mountains on its northern border. Amazing diversity and stunning beauty. We will be back!
Until we roam together again . . .
