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"