Oregon Trail, Thousand Springs and Shosone Falls - August 2011

Bee on a sunflower

The Snake River Plain  stretches almost from border to border across southern Idaho.  The geology of the region is fascinating.  It formed from lava flows as the North American tectonic plate moved southwest across the Yellowstone hotspot.  The plain cuts across the basin and range features of the area, making it appear that the Snake River has cut its path across the mountains.  In actual fact, the plain is sinking due to the weight of the ancient lava flows, thereby providing a bed for the river.  For more information, check out information on Wikipedia  and Earth Observatory .

Starr, Marilyn and I set out to visit some of the features in the area. The first stop was Three Island Crossing State Park in Glenn Ferry.  It is the site of one of the most well-known river crossings along the Oregon Trail.  The Oregon Trail History and Education Center displays information about the Native Americans who lived in the area and the pioneers who passed through on their way to Oregon.

Oregon Trail looking west

 The Oregon Trail is very visible in the park, as it is in many spots of the Northwest.  The dry climate has preserved the ruts since the 1800's.  This view is looking west on the plateau to the east of the Snake River.

Oregon Trail looking east

A good part of the Oregon Trail looks pretty much like it did when the pioneers crossed it - mile after mile of open sagebrush plains.  This shot was taken at the same spot as the one above, but looks to the east.

Oregon Trail ruts crossing an island 

 One branch of the trail crossed the Snake River using the three islands of the park.  The ruts of the trail can be seen on the island in the photograph.  It was a treacherous crossing, but those pioneers who made it across had a shorter route to Oregon with more abundant water along the trail.

Some of the Thousand Springs

The next area we visited is called Thousand Springs because of the innumerable waterfalls flowing out from openings in the eastern cliffs along the Snake River.  The water seeps down through thousands of square miles of porous volcanic basalt into the Snake River Aquifer, then flows west to discharge along the Snake River cliffs.

Shoshone Falls

Sunset over the Snake River Canyon

Last stop of the day before heading back to Boise was Shoshone Falls.  They are higher than Niagara Falls.  They are fullest in the spring during and after the snow melt.  Even though it was August, the roar of the falls was incredible.




Just before we left to drive back to Boise, we were treated to a beautiful sunset as we looked downriver below the falls.  Marilyn took this picture at the height of the color.