The Snake River runs through the city of Twin Falls, Idaho. Since we are passing through, we must visit the falls known as the Niagara of the West. It is definitely off season and the road to the falls overlook is closed, but we’ll walk down the twisty .6 mile road to the falls. It is a beautiful sunny day, no wind so feels warmer than 18 degrees, but where the cliffs shade the road we have ice to negotiate. Just watch your step!
OK, the trick to not falling is finding snow and grasses along the edges that our shoes can grip. While we traverse the ice, it is interesting to note that this area is part of Idaho’s Magic Valley. Consisting of eight counties that are primarily in the Snake River Plain, it is called Magic because in the early 1900s settlers “magically” turned this arid desert area into an agricultural haven by irrigating the land with water from the Snake River.
We cannot see the river or the falls from here, but we get the feel for the canyon. This entire area is part of the Snake River Plain, one of the world’s largest volcanic plains. We saw a glimpse of the Plain’s northeast area when we explored ID-33. There are basically two types of rock here formed from very different types of lava: basalt and rhyolite. The greatest cataclysm that ultimately formed this area was the Bonneville Flood that happened 17,400 years ago. In geologic time normally measured in millions of years, the landscape-changing flood happened only minutes ago.
This runoff is coming from Dierkes Lake, a lake formed after irrigation runoff filled a canyon in the early 1900s. Purchased by the city of Twin Falls in 1969, it is now a city park open to fishing, swimming, climbing, hiking, and more. For now, let’s enjoy the beautiful runoff creating ice sculptures along its edges.
The runoff is funneled under the road forming a small pond edged with masses of tall grass that are “growing” new ice statues.
Continuing down the road, the sun has melted the road ice and offers another gift. The mist from the falls is creating lovely colors just for us. 😉
WOW! Shoshone (Sha-shone-ee) Falls. The water flow is rather low this time of year, but in spring the water volume is amazing. It flow from the left edge of the largest falls across all rock edges in this picture totally immersing the rock in crashing water. Most of the spring water comes from winter snow melt. Beginning in Wyoming, water runs into the Snake River from the Teton Range, Gros Ventre (grow vant) Range, and the many rivers that flow into the Snake, each with their own mountain-range runoff. We need to come back in spring!
As we enjoy the Niagara of the West, do you wonder how it compares to Niagara Falls? It is both taller and wider than the American portion of Niagara Falls, standing 212 feet high and nearly 1,000 feet wide. The falls and river is also an important source of hydroelectric power. What makes it special is that the beauty of the falls was purposely not defaced by the man-made devices needed to supply power to the surrounding cities and towns.
Down river from the falls, the Snake River Canyon winds northwest. There are actually hundreds of geese and ducks in the river below, but they look like dots from our high vantage point of almost 500 feet above the water.
On our walk back to the car, how did we miss this amazing wall sculpture on the way down? Too excited to see the falls perhaps. Watch your step. We are back on roadway ice.
Some of these icicles are taller than me!
It is a short walk to the parking lot now. Ahhh, one last waterfall with its icy sculptures. This entire area must be spectacular in the spring with huge amounts of water flowing over the falls and down the canyon walls. I can’t wait to come back in spring! Remember though, every season is breathtaking in its contribution to the beauty of the great outdoors.
Be sure to look for the special winter beauty in your neck of the woods! Until next time . . .
