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!
Continue reading “Shoshone Falls on New Year’s Eve”
Name one thing that is great about Yellowstone in October: Off-season lodge rates. Name one word of caution about Yellowstone in October: SNOW. Since I love staying at the new Canyon Lodges with steep discounts and the aspen and cottonwoods are in sparkling yellow now, I’ll take my chances. It is a gorgeous day to drive along the Gibbon River to Norris Junction then heading east to the Canyon area. The Gibbon River has thermal features along its banks and is one of only a few Yellowstone rivers flowing north to south, but that’s a story for another day. Today we are heading to Canyon’s Washburn Lodge, staying the last two nights before the Canyon area closes until next May. Tomorrow morning we will walk the northern end of North Rim Trail to explore waterfalls and canyon walls. This will be such fun.
Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley is a sparkling winter wonderland, and the Lamar Buffalo Ranch is an ideal mid-valley location with a bit of civilized warmth from the frigid winter surrounds. The ranch was instrumental in saving bison from extinction in this country in the early 1900’s. Today, although not open to the public, the ranch hosts educational opportunities through Yellowstone Forever Institute and the National Park Service’s Expedition Yellowstone.
Let’s walk up to where Rose Creek splits into three separate creeks as it races down into the valley to join the Lamar River. The trail is hard packed, but we will put ice-traction cleats on our boots for safety. It is a little after 10am and about 8 degrees, but with no wind, it feels much warmer. What a beautiful day! Don’t forget your sunglasses.
It dropped to -22° last night, but with the crystal-clear blue sky this morning, the sun is warming up the landscape. At -12° and not a breath of wind, it’s time for a winter wayfaring experience near home. It is just so beautiful. The sparkling snow clings to everything it fell on over the last 24 hours. Be sure to dress warm though, it is still very cold outside and we don’t want any frostbite on fingers, toes, or nose. It is so nice to still have farmland within our city limits. Wintertime aspens, long piles of hay, and the Bridger Mountains that define our eastern edge, all covered in sparkling white.
