World-class Granite Formations
Two parks in south central Idaho, known to be a mecca for rock climbers, allow us to explore granite formations dating back ~2.5 billion years. Located about an hour south of Twin Falls and within 5 miles of the city of Almo, Castle Rocks State Park and City of Rocks National Reserve encourage visitors to peek into history and experience the three unique ecosystems that meet here. Given there’s evidence that people have been coming here for over 9,000 years, I’m sure everyone can find something of interest, we certainly did.
Campground
Just south of the turnoff to City of Rocks we find a BLM Campground tucked into the side of Smoky Mountain. The short road up here is rough, but it has really nice, large sites with fire pits and picnic tables. And best of all… it’s free!
City of Rocks National Reserve Visitor Center
This small visitor center serves both parks and offers a gift shop as well as very knowledgeable staff pointing visitors toward activities based on their desires and skill levels.
Castle Rocks State Park
This 1,692 acre park is located in Big Cove at the base of Cache Peak in the Albion Mountains. In addition to rock climbing there are hundreds of routes for hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders to be found here.
Jensen Home Site
Our first stop in the park is at some fallen rock walls, which are all that remains of the Jensen Home Site built in 1883. The pioneer couple of John & Mary Jensen built a 35 ft x 35 ft square log house, stables, and corrals. They also planted 20 acres of hay on the property. Over the 18 years they lived here, they had 14 children (only 6 who survived to adulthood); built a store “Jensen & Sons” and became much beloved in the area. Mary also served as a midwife and devoted much of her time caring for the sick.
Given the view below, it’s not hard to see how they picked this area to settle. In addition to the view, Almo Creek and Stines Creek run through the property and there’s a small pond just across from the house.
Castle Rocks Trailhead
Just up the road, we reach our first trailhead in the park. The Castle Rocks Trailhead offers one main trail following Almo Creek and then splits into many trails leading up and through the granite. And the view from the parking lot already offers an interesting rock formation.
Bracksiecks Pillar Loop
After taking in the views, we head down the trail for the Bracksiecks Pillar Loop; which is rated as a moderate trail that promises shade through the trees, incredible granite formations, and views for miles.
As we reach the loop we go clockwise and begin working our way up to the Pillars.
Once up beside the pillar, we begin picking our way behind it and across the granite to find the promised views.
On the way down we find some very unique rock formations and it seems that every turn in the path offers it’s own unique view.
Until we are greeted with one final view of our path through the trees, down to the valley below.
The granite formations and views are incredible and we’re very glad we did this trail; but it was far from moderate. We found it to be very difficult to follow, very steep, dangerous in places, and bouldering is absolutely required. So if you’re not fit and agile; or are afraid of heights, this is not the trail for you.
Stines Creek Picnic Area
After a quick lunch, we head further into the park to the Stines Creek Picnic Area.
Where we pick up the Back Yard Boulders Loop trail.
Back Yard Boulders Loop
Castle Rock is the highlight and center point of this ~2 mile loop trail.
It offers an approach route for some of the popular climbs in the park, as well as historical sites. There are numbered sign posts at various sites along this trail that correspond to the the self-guided tour guide available in the visitor center or under City of Rocks National Reserve on the NPS app.
As we begin, we run into a group of rock climbers heading down the path, so we opted to give them space and do the trail backwards or counter clockwise.
Pictographs (#6)
A short spur off the mail loop trail…
…takes us to post #6, where we find the pictographs behind a barrier and an information board telling visitors about them.
Castle Rock Overlook (#5)
If you can take your eyes off the towering spires and monoliths of Almo Pulton Fall from this overlook, you’ll find a view of the Stines Creek riparian area below where visitors can often find birds and other wildlife.
Zoomed views from the overlook
Three Pools Boulders (#3)
The three giant panholes in this boulder give it it’s name. Panholes begin as tiny depressions where water can remain for a long time. And the longer the water remains, the more the granite erodes thus widening the hole.
We found two of the three pools; but they were very dry. The third one is probably higher on the rock than we were willing to climb.
Finding the pools empty, was a little disappointing; but the views more than made up for it.
Shock and Awe Shelter (#2)
Another short spur trail leads to the Shock and Awe Shelter. Artifacts dating back to 660 AD have been discovered here.
Unless you knew the shelter was here, you’d walk right by it. In the picture below, it’s tucked in the rocks behind the trees on the right.
Castle Rock
On the way back to the trailhead, we get some additional views of Castle Rock as we walk around it.
City of Rocks National Reserve
Located south of Castle Rocks SP and southwest of the city of Almo, City of Rocks National Reserve is hidden in the Albion Mountains and is part of the larger Green Creek Complex (a significant geological formation found west of the Mississippi River). With towering spires over 700 feet tall and timeless monoliths guarding the Circle Creek Basin, the history and adventure to be found here are surprising.
Circle Creek Overlook
Just after entering the park, we turn left and head up a narrow dirt road to access the Circle Creek Overlook to take in the view and explore the trails found here.
Looking the other direction, we find the Granite Peaks, Steinfells Dome, and the Circle Creek Trailhead.
Geologic Interpretive Trail to Geo Watt and Stripe Rock
Before heading out on the Geological Interpretive Trail, we pull up the self-walking guide on our handy NPS app. Which provides all kinds of information associated with numbered signposts found at different intervals along the path.
Tafoni (Station #3)
Gradually enlarging hollows created by salt deposits carried by the wind, which ultimately create delicate arches, windows, and honeycombs.
Joints (Station #4)
Joints are a type of perpendicular extension fracture in the rock. These cracks then collect soils creating places for plants to take root.
Panholes (Station #5)
Created by weathering in the quartz, panholes gradually widen over time through the process of catching and holding rainwater. There are stories throughout the park of people using the smaller panholes for drinking water and the larger ones for bathing.
Intrusive Contact (Station #6)
The veins in the rock below were created by Almo Pulton (a form of magma) as it wedged its way into the Green Creek Complex.
Green Creek Complex Window (Station #8)
This window was produced by the cavernous weathering process we learned about earlier. Windows are often found in the Almo Pulton; but this window is a rare occurrence for the granite in this area.
Boulders (Station #9)
Boulders are created as large chucks of rock are broken off of an outcropping, either through weathering or earthquakes.
Pickelhaube (Station #10)
This unique spike-like formation at the top of a pinnacle is actually a remnant of a case-hardened surface (potentially repeated bird droppings from a favorite perch) that protects the softer rock beneath from erosion.
Pinnacles (Station #12)
As joints weather, they erode along the sides leaving pinnacles.
Geo Watt Trail views
After completing the Geological Trail we continue down the path and head west along the Geo Watt Trail; which provides an expansive view into the valley.
There’s a rock formation in the view above that caught our eye due to it’s resemblance to a gorilla. Do you see it?
The Eviction
There’s nothing to tell us how this popular rock climbing formation earned it’s name. So, your guess is as good as ours.
Final view
As we approach the truck at the end of the hike, we see this incredible rock formation behind the parking lot.
On to our next location further into the park.
First Look
On the way, we see this incredible view before us and find an information board just off the road.
According the information board… “California Bound emigrants got their first look at the “City” here. The scene was dramatically different than any other they had encountered since leaving Missouri. Many travelers recorded their impressions of this view in journals.” So many travelers remarked the rocks from this view looked like a city, that the name stuck. And that’s how this park became “City of Rocks”.
Ruins by Circle Creek
A little further down the road we find the ruins of an old homestead.
On to our next hike.
Flaming Rock Loop
After finding a place to park at the Flaming Rock Trailhead we set out on foot to explore this ~0.8 mile trail known for it’s unique rock formations including mini arches and puzzles walls, birding opportunities (it descends the rocks down to South Creek), and ample rock climbing opportunities.
After descending downward for a while, the trail begins to curl back up into the granite and after some light bouldering we come across our first arch.
A little further along we find another small window at the top of Flaming Rock.
As we reach the valley we see the dense foliage surrounding the creek. Some of which is already showing off their fall colors.
A little further around the trail we capture a great view of Flaming Rock backlit by the sun.
As we finish the loop and head back up the hill to the truck, we see some climbers ascending the rock known as “Radicella” on our left.
Window Arch
Our next stop in the park is Window Arch; which is 300 ft from the parking area.
When here, don’t forget to turn around and look at the view further into the park.
Overlook
On the way to our next destination we see an incredible view, and there’s a small turnout with an information letting us know what we’re looking at.
And as we look closely, we see a climber nearing the top of the Morning Glory Spire.
Across the road we see some additional fall colors on the hill.
South Fork Loop Trail
As we near the end of the road inside the reserve we find our final trailhead for the day, the Creekside Towers Trailhead. It’s here we’ll see several popular rock climbing formations: Parking Lot Rock, Rabbit Rock, Real Rabbit Rock, and Window Rock with (as the name suggests) a small window at the top.
Bathtub Rock
On the way back to the park entrance, we pass by Bathtub Rock and see two rock climbers (ropes, harnesses, & lines) coming down and one free climber (nothing but chalk) going up.
This rock is known as Bathtub Rock because at the top is a very large panhole that cowboys and ranch hands used to bathe in.
And just off to the right are some more beautiful fall colors.
Elephant Rock
As we continue along, we see the famed elephant rock. Do you see it?
Camp Rock
For our final stop of the day, we come to Camp Rock. This key landmark was a favorite resting place for emigrants traveling along the California Trail (1843-1882). It provided shelter from the elements, and some of them wrote their names in axle grease on the rock face before continuing their journey. The view across the road it’s bad either.
These incredible rock formations have campsites tucked into every nook and cranny throughout the park. They’re all first come-first served, so if you’re lucky enough to get one you can enjoy the peace and serenity of this landscape at night.
This is our final stop in Idaho for the summer and what an incredible summer it’s been. For one of the least visited states in the US, it is an absolute hidden gem.
Next stop… Golden Spike National Historic Park (Utah)
