Lots To Do In Twin Falls - Idaho

 

 Twin Falls, Idaho turned out to be far more interesting

Perrine Bridge over the Snake River

than I had anticipated it. Offering both natural wonders and urban charm. First of all, it is a lovely city... There is so much to do and so many places to visit with-in a short drive. Good food abounds!

  Twin Falls is the county seat and derives its name from the falls located up stream on the Snake River.

  Crossing the famous Perrine Bridge, you are confronted with the imposing canyon and the Snake River hundreds of feet below.

  A few of the places that are 'must not miss' are the Visitors Center overlooking the Snake River and next to the Perrine Bridge (pictured upper right), the only bridge in the US that allows unrestricted BASE JUMPING. We were fortunate enough to witness two fool-hardy gentlemen that took the leap while we were there.

     

These two BASE jumpers were assessing the landing site and wind speed before the hike up to the bridge...     (I have two videos of the two jumpers that will not load on this site - contact me and I will text them to you)                                                        

  There is an open grate, cantilevered, viewing platform by the visitor center, providing a fabulous vantage point for photographing the bridge, the gorge and Snake River far below. 

 

  One of the attractions, if I might call it that, was the 'World Famous' site of Evil Knievel's attempt to jump the Snake River in a rocket powered motorcycle. (He didn't make it...)

  There is a Scenic trail that runs along the south cliffs of the Snake River, a short trek from the "jump site" reveals a bend in the Gorge where you catch your first glimpse of the "Shoshone Falls" 

  Plans were formulated for the following day to start our tour of the different falls in the nearby area.

 

  We spent several hours at the Shoshone Falls Park that provided a wonderful vantage point for observing the magnificent falls and the amazing views of the Snake River Gorge.

  I took so many pictures of the Falls that it is hard to select only a few for this post. 

  Neal K. joined me for some photo scouting heading West along the South side of the Canyon to take a few pictures from the cantilevered platforms accessible only from the Canyon Rim Trail.

   It was a very warm day, but the spray from the falls was refreshing but hard on the camera equipment. 

  We have been to Niagra Falls and Shoshone Falls is every bit as impressive. Shoshone stands 213 ft tall being 46 ft higher than Niagra. Not as accessible as Niagra (being able to stand near the edge of the falls) but unexpected and dynamic. (and cheaper) A different experience but definitely worth the visit.

   We drove up the road just out of Twin Falls to a famous feature known as The Perrine Coulee Falls, at a height of almost 200' it is a very impressive scene after a moderate 1/4-mile hike to the base of the falls. The unique attraction of this falls is you can walk behind the falls (For FREE). 

  The City of Twin Falls was founded in 1904 by Ira Burton Perrine. Perrine was an Idaho farmer, rancher and businessman. There is far too much information on Perrine, the development of the area and the several surrounding communities to include here. 

  There are many landmarks dedicated to Perrine's memory and contributions to Idaho. The 1,500 ft truss arch Perrine Bridge at the beginning of this blog is named after Ira. 

Ira Perrine putting the Touch on me...

  This has been a wonderful trip since departing Rock Springs, WY with wonderful travel companions and there is much more to come. Stay tuned as I attempt to catch up on our journeys this summer. We visited many interesting destinations on this trip.

  My apologies on the long time between posts... Your feedback and comments are always welcome, and I look forward to sharing the ongoing Saga of the Phantom and Hero (our Grand Cherokee TOAD)

"May The Odds Be Forever In Your Favor"

CITY of ROCKS - Unique, to say the least !

  They say, "You've seen one rock, you have seen them all" (I don't know who THEY is, but they is wrong).  If you get the opportunity to venture out to City of Rocks National Reserve in Southern Idaho, DO IT ! No Regrets... 

  I like for my posts to be a little informative, a little entertaining and perhaps (at times) a little irreverent.  So, in that vein, a little background on City of Rocks.

 City of Rocks was given that name by the migrants that traversed the California Trail. Between 1843 and 1882 a mass migration of people headed West hoping to settle lands in the newly opened 'land of promise' but in 1848 the discovery of gold in California enticed thousands to seek their fortune.

  Over 200,000 people followed the California Trail through an area called 'the city of rocks' a name emigrant and artist James Wilkins (Janice, and relation?) coined in August 1849. The rock formations and geological marvels amazed those weary from their long, arduous travels.  Fur-traders, followed the indigenous people, migrants followed the fur traders. Eventually overland stagecoaches followed the migrant travelers. 

Five Star Camp Facilities

  We touched down at a private campground, cleverly named 'City Of Rocks RV'. One of the only RV facilities featuring water and electric that would accept BIG RIGS. This turned out to be a perfect base of operations for our visit as it was located on the gravel road leading to the Reserve proper.  Five Star facilities awaited us... (above right) a "Three Holer" and a propane fired, open air shower 'enclosure'

 

Jokes aside, the camp was operated by the family that has inhabited the land for over a hundred years, the great grandfather clearing and managing the original homestead. The campground opened in April 2020. 

Original Homestead

  

Whether you come here for rock climbing, camping, hiking, birding, fishing, snowshoeing, (Yes, the City of Rocks is open all seasons) hunting, horse backing or stargazing (Maybe all the above) This would be an ideal basecamp at a reasonable cost. The owner/manager was very welcoming and provided essential information enhancing our experience.

Venturing into the City of Rocks National Reserve you happen upon very few remaining structures from before the area was designated as a reserve. A Reserve differs from a National Park in the fact that a reserve isn't closed to landowners, being set aside to protect cultural and natural resources. The main difference is a reserve is open to activities like hunting & trapping, oil and gas exploration, mining and livestock grazing as National Parks normally are not.

When the California Trail was first opened in 1843, Granite Pass, near City of Rocks provided a pass the allowed a relatively easier connection to water sources and grass essential to survival on the arduous journey. 

Travelers stopping in the basin would sign their names on the rocks (using dirty axle grease) in the area they camped. [If you click on the picture (right) you can expand the photo to see the names.]

 

Looks Like the Natives Didn't Go Too Far...

         Most emigrants on the California Trail saw no Native Americans, but some of their journals recorded smoke rising from high hills and the 

surrounding mountains. 

  One of the main attractions to the Basin Area are the magnificent rock formations of granite attracting sport climbers from around the world to scale the impressive and challenging faces.

Climber Making an Accent

Absolutely NUTZ if you ask me...

Why Would You???

  

Two Climbers Nearing Top

    The scenery in the Reserve is unlike any other place we have been. Everywhere you look there is something unique that catches a photographer's eye and screams. "Take my picture!" (I wanted to type, "Shoot me!!" - but in this day and age... well...) 

 Huge spires and formations of mostly granitic rock of the Oligocene Almo Pluton and the Archean Green Creek Complex (SCIENCE) abound and the deeper you go into the reserve the more magnificent they become... So many pictures, so little space.

  I will leave you with this - If you are anywhere near The City of Rocks, take the time to visit this most amazing National Reserve and if you are disappointed, I will refund your cost for the blog !!

"May The Odds Be Forever In Your Favor"