30.5K Summer 2017 by endovereric
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Basalt Bluff / Steve's Rock
Teton, Idaho
2.9 miles S of Teton, IdahoDon't go anywhere marked No Trespassing and Beware of the Attack Bees at the top of the cliffs and the Stinging Nettle at the bottom.
About a mile north of Loon Lake/Wentworth Springs Road junction, going towards Loon Lake, look up to the left to see this formation. Park on the road (narrow) and hike up to the the east face where all the climbs are. Can rappel off (2 ropes) or walk off to the north. Most routes are high quality with good rock. At last count there were 11 established routes here.
| Route | Difficulty | Ascents |
|---|---|---|
| 5.8 Hand Crack | 5.8 | 1 |
| Aoxomoxoa | 5.10b | 1 |
| Brown Shoes | 5.10c | 1 |
| Hangdogs Beget Eurodogs | 5.10a | 2 |
| Movin to Montana | 5.10c | 1 |
| Punk Titans Unchained | 5.10a | 1 |
| Three Ekka | 5.11a | 1 |
courtesy of RockClimbing.com
Sheep Falls on Henry's Fork
Island Park, Idaho
15.6 miles S of Island Park, IdahoSheep Falls cascades approximately 25' through a narrow basalt chute on the North Fork of the Snake River near Island Park, Idaho. Compared to nearby Lower and Upper Mesa Falls, that height may not sound particularly spectacular but it is a pleasant hike on a relatively well maintained trail and is rarely crowded.
Fall Creek Falls
Swan Valley, Idaho
2.1 miles SW of Swan Valley, IdahoFalls Campground is located next to the Snake River near beautiful Swan Valley, only 45 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mixed growth cottonwood trees provide partial shade, and grassy meadows with summer wildflowers dot the area. Wildlife is plentiful in the river bottom; eagles, osprey, moose, and deer are frequently spotted. Fall Creek Falls is about 1/4 mile from the campground. The Snake River offers excellent trout fishing, canoeing, rafting, and kayaking. Spring Creek and Conant Boat Ramps, open to the public, are nearby. Palisades Reservoir is less than 20 miles from Falls Campground, with great boating, waterskiing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming.
Packsaddle Lake
Tetonia, Idaho
9.3 miles W of Tetonia, IdahoPacksaddle is one of the less well known lakes/trails in the area. If you've got a good offroad vehicle, you can probably make it all the way to the end of the road, otherwise, it's just an extra 0.5 miles up the hill. Even to get to that point though, you may push the limits of your car or mini van and be required to do some pretty technical driving. There are plenty of good spots to park along the road if you decide that's as far as you can drive. The descent to the lake is pretty steep (300ft elevation drop) but less than a 1/2 mile to the lake. You'll be able to see the lake from the top of the trail. There's a little camp area on the eastern edge of the lake.
Mountain Bike Trail (From Lower Trailhead)
It starts on a slight incline and then gets gradually steeper. Trail is pretty smooth. After a tough climb, you get a downhill followed by a field. Then there's a fork in the road. If you actually want to get to the lake, take a left at the fork. Climb some more. View the beautiful Tetons on your left. You'll come to a clearing at the top. If you look down to the left, the lake is between the trees down the steep decline singletrack. Don't ride right into the lake. It's freezing, and does a quick dropoff. Courtesy of Singletracks.com
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
10.0 miles E of Driggs, IdahoAt 11,300 feet, Table Mountain is possibly the most beautiful climb this side of the Tetons and offers what may well be the very best view of the Grand Tetons. It's just far enough away to be able to see all three peaks and close enough to make out all the detail.
There are 2 main trails with different distances but either way, you've got to climb over 4000 feet.
The Face trail is much steeper but also much shorter. It cuts out all of the switchbacks and 'B' lines it for the top. It's considerably shorter and you don't have to go very far before the view begins to open up and you can see the beauty of Teton Canyon and its surrounding peaks. (about 3.5 miles one way)
Huckleberry trail is much longer but also a much more gradual incline/decline. The trail follows and crosses North Fork Teton Creek making it a great spot to get a filtered water refill.It's not known as huckleberry for nothing. You just have to catch it at the right time (Mid-Late Summer depending on weather) and get to the bushes before everybody else picks them clean. (about 6.5 miles one way)
Check conditions via webcam at tetoncam.com.
Elevation: 11,300ft
Elevation Gain: 4000ft
Length: 7-13 miles
Hell's Half Acre Lava Walk
Blackfoot, Idaho
25.6 miles N of Blackfoot, IdahoThe Lava Trails traverse the desert of the Snake River Plain through contorted landscapes created from multiple lava flows. These Hawaiian-type lava flows are associated with the stretching of the earth’s crust. Hell’s Half Acre lava flow erupted about 4,100 years ago and is 222 square miles or 162,000 acres. The lava flowed at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, had the consistency of molasses, and traveled at speeds up to 30 mph.Courtesy of blm.gov
Undeveloped trails offering scenic solitude; short 0.5 mile loop trail and a 4.5-mile trail to the main vent of the Hell’s Half Acre flow. Trails are primitive and marked with poles across lava. A fire ring and other amenities are located at the trailhead.Courtesy of blm.gov
17 Mile Cave
Idaho Falls, Idaho
16.1 miles W of Idaho Falls, IdahoSeventeen Mile Cave is a lava tube, a cave created by the pocket in which lava used to flow and was left empty when the volcano became inactive. The cave gets its name from its location, just 17 miles outside of Idaho Falls. The entrance to the cave can be found a few hundred feet from the highway. The tunnel itself is a little less than ¼ mile long.
The floor of this cave is much smoother than most cave floors. The practically flat surface makes it easy to walk the length of the cave. The cave is not lit and, like most caves, is cool and humid throughout the year. Visitors should come to the cave prepared with flashlights and jackets.
The cave has one main tunnel that is easy to follow. There is no need to worry about getting lost. The end of the quarter mile trail is marked by two pools accompanied by a swampy area. It is difficult to get further than this area of the cave.
Seventeen Mile Cave is a cave that receives a lot of traffic from the surrounding cities of Rexburg and Idaho Falls. This heavy traffic has caused the cave to have heavy graffiti covering most of its walls. Litter is also frequently found on the cave floor.
For those who live in Rexburg and Idaho Falls, Seventeen Mile Cave is easily accessible. This cave is easy to walk through and great for beginning spelunkers.
Rexburg Area Ice Caves
Rexburg, Idaho
29.1 miles N of Rexburg, IdahoNot to be mistaken with the Civil Defense Caves (which are near by), the Ice Caves are about an hour North outside of Rexburg. The Ice Caves were originally formed as lava tubes. The shape of the caves traps cold winter air in the cave and forms large areas of ice on the floor and beautiful ice crystals on the walls and ceiling. The ice remains frozen year round and makes for an awesome time. The ice caves are a few hundred yards deep and require good footwear, warm clothes and a flashlight to navigate. There is often a good amount of water near the entrance. There's a bridge of rocks across the area but you may get a little wet getting in the cave. There are areas where you'll need a rope to be able to ascend portions of ice. Please do not light fires or introduce any other heat source into the caves.
Fifth Water Hot Springs
Provo, Utah
19.0 miles SE of Provo, UtahAKA Diamond Fork Hot Springs
A beautiful drive and a 2.5 mile hike along the river will end you at an amazing set of hot springs that's well worth the trip. There's a variety of man-modified rock pools of varying temperatures up to 108°. Watch out for snakes. Depending on when you go, there can be a lot.
There are multiple sets of pools. As soon as you come into view of the falls, you'll see a couple of pools that seem to be a little raised above the creek. There are several pools close to the waterfall, including some very shallow pools and some where it's easy to move the rocks around to form your own. If you continue beyond the waterfall, you'll find a couple of more secluded pools. Make sure to go behind the waterfall but be careful of some of the more slippery rocks.
There's no good place to change once you get to the springs so you may want to plan to hike in your swimwear. If you come on a sunny day, it's easy to dry off before walking back. If you're a tenderfoot, be sure to bring some sort of footwear for the water so you can go wherever you like.
Like most locations, the hot springs more popular on the weekends so plan accordingly.
Roundtrip: 5 miles
North Menan Butte ('R' Mountain)
Menan, Idaho
4.5 miles N of Menan, IdahoThe North Menan Butte is more commonly known to the locals and college students as R Mountain. Many kids know it better as Ou'R' Mountain. The butte is a rare and unique geological area and provides a great volcanic hike.
There's a paved parking lot and a vault toilet at the West trailhead. The first few hundred yards are well-maintained gravel and sand paths and the further you get, the less defined the trail gets, though it is relatively easy to find and follow. The switchback trails (South and West) are marked by sections of log fences. Towards the top of the West switchbacks, there's a chain handrail. It gets a little steep so you'll want some shoes with some grip. The sand on the rock makes it pretty slippery in the steeper parts. You'll get better grip after a good rain. Once you get up to the top, there's an informational placard. From there, it's easy to hike the rim and get an awesome view of the valley including Rexburg, Henry's Fork, and the Snake River.
It's a great hike for a small family or just a quick hike for a date. Even going up the West switchbacks and around rim, including the 'R', and back down the same way is only 3.5 miles (longest route) so you can do it pretty quick if you want. There's so much to look at that you could also spend hours climbing rocks, exploring caves, and playing around "The Ampitheater". If you just want to get to the 'R' as quickly as possible, you can do the hike in as little as 2 miles roundtrip.
Distances:
- West trailhead up the face to the rim: 0.5 miles
- West trailhead up the switchbacks to the rim: 0.75 miles
- West trailhead, from reaching the rim to 'R': 1 mile
- South trailhead to the rim: 0.3 miles
- South trailhead, from reaching the rim to 'R': 0.75 mile
- Through the caldera: 0.6 miles
- Around the rim: 2 miles
- Rim to 'R': 500 feet
There are no fees. Camping is allowed up to 5 nights but fires must be in an elevated fire pan and all the ash must be packed out.
Posted regulations:
- No motorized vehicle use
- Discharging of weapons or fireworks is prohibited
- Open fires are permitted only with an approved elevated fire pan and ash removal
- Burning pallets, tires, wire, plastic, glass, metal, magnesium, or hazardous material is prohibited
- Cutting or damaging vegitation is prohibited
- 5-day camping limit
Bitch Creek Trestle
Tetonia, Idaho
9.4 miles N of Tetonia, IdahoAs part of the Rails to Trails project, this old railroad bridge has been transformed into a very safe little viewing experience for the whole family. You can drive right up to the bridge where there is a great little spot to park. Bitch Creek meeanders hundreds of feet below the bridge.
The bridge is part of the 30 mile Ashton-Tetonia Trail. Conant Creek Pegram Truss Railroad Bridge is further down the same trail.
Difficulty: Beyond easy
Twin Bridges
St. Anthony, Idaho
6.6 miles NE of St. Anthony, IdahoThere's an old abandoned bridge next to the one currently in use. The water is pretty deep underneath and offers two distinct levels to jump from. There's a little rope swing under the bridge and a path up river that makes a great put-in spot for a LITTLE float. If you've got little kids, there's a great little sandbar on the north side of the bridge just upstream from all the commotion. There are almost always people there on the nice days but you rarely ever have to wait to jump.
Monkey Rock
Saint Anthony, Idaho
4.1 miles SE of Saint Anthony, IdahoMonkey Rock features a beautiful waterfall you can wade right up to during the summer. Just under the waterfall is a great spot to wade around in or even some shallow swimming pretty good for small children. Maybe you just want to take advantage of the great bank to bask in the summer sun. The water temperature is fairly cool, which by no means is unwelcomed during the hot summer months. You'll get used to the water fairly quickly once you're in. The waterfall is a fun feature at Monkey Rock, not to mention a popular engagement photo backdrop. The name "Monkey Rock" is derived from the "monkeys" who jump off the rocks at the top of the falls to the pool below. Though not a great height, it's important to be careful and only jump into areas clear of rocks and other hazards and where the water is deep enough that you won't hit bottom when you jump. There really isn't a safe spot to jump from the falls as it doesn't usually get more than 5 feet deep.
The real jumping location is off the Hog Hollow Bridge up the road from the waterfall.
PLEASE NOTE: On the roads leading to Monkey Rock, the speed limit is 35 mph for the last mile. There are kids, cows, horses, and dogs along that road and many people tend to speed going to and from Monkey Rock. Please slow down and stay safe.
Heise Rock (AKA Elephant Rock)
Ririe, Idaho
5.0 miles E of Ririe, IdahoThis volcanic plug sits just off the road near the Heise Hot Springs Golf Course. It is also referred to as Elephant Rock or Chuck's Choss Pile. Aid climbers practiced on this small crag beginning in the early 1970s. With the birth of sport climbing in the '80s, Jeff Hursh started bolting some the most obvious lines on the south side. When Chuck Oddette moved to Idaho Falls in the late '80s, he immediately saw the great potential for numerous lines and quickly went to work developing Heise Rock.
Paramount Wall / Blanche Rock
Ririe, Idaho
6.1 miles E of Ririe, IdahoSitting high above the road, the routes at Paramount offer great exposure and relief from the afternoon summer sun. Chuck Oddette, Steve Reiser and Jed Miller established the routes from 1989 to 1990. While not the hardest climbing around, Paramount is home to great lines in the 5.9 - 5.10 range a perfect place for the budding lead climber. All routes except Fly By Night, Positively Negative, and Spraypaint can be done with a 50-meter rope.
Courtesy of SEIClimbing.com
