History & Waterfalls around Hagerman, Idaho

One of the advantages of getting an annual State Park pass is it’s a really easy, convenient way to stop when traveling. Since almost all the parks have campgrounds, the roads into and within the parks themselves are not only easy to navigate with a trailer; but typically have designated trailer parking and bathrooms in the day use areas.

Three Island Crossing State Park

So, on the way east we stop to have lunch and stretch our legs at Three Island Crossing State Park. It’s a really nice, quiet park with a great visitor center/museum and designated hiking trails.

Loop Trail

After having lunch we set off on the two mile loop trail beside the visitor center, which immediately takes us down to the Snake River. From here we should be able to see the three islands of “Three Island Crossing”. But, the water level is so high that the islands are barely visible.

As we progress along the river we find an old ferryboat and can see the winch/pully system used to operate it on either side of the river.

It’s here we learn that Gus Glenn started a ferryboat here in 1870. It’s why the nearby town was named Glenns Ferry.

Once the trail turns inland through one of the campgrounds, we begin to gain elevation where we eventually see the visitor center and Snake River in the valley below.

Part way down the hill, we come across the “Oregon Trail Interpretive Area” which has examples of the wagons used by emigrants to make the journey.

There are also information boards telling us about the wagons, Three Island Crossing, and the Oregon Trail.

Visitor Center

After arriving back at the visitor center, we go in to look around and cool down before getting back on the road, As we’re going around the exhibits, we see a display showing the Three Island Crossing and learn that about 50% of the 53,000 Oregon bound emigrants crossed here.

Glenns Ferry

As we leave the park we see this old water town standing sentry above the Snake River on the southern edge of Glenns Ferry.

Thousand Springs State Park

Located near Hagerman, Idaho, Thousand Spring State Park is made up of several units. We’ll explore several of these over the next few days.

Malad Gorge Unit

Our first stop is the Malad Gorge Unit to discover the Devil’s Washbowl.

Devil’s Washbowl

The washbowl is directly next to Interstate 84 and the waterfall is under the walkway/bridge over the Malad Gorge. So, we stopped to get a view of the Upper Falls before heading down to the overlook point for a view back at the waterfall and the washbowl.

The waterfall stairsteps down to the 250 foot deep gorge and flows into a large pool at the base. It’s the pool that is known as Devil’s Washbowl.

Malad Gorge

Heavily influenced by surrounding volcanoes and floods, the Snake River has been redirected many times throughout the ages resulting in these deep gorges and dramatic waterfalls.

The last picture above, is another great example of how deceiving the Snake River Plain is. When you’re on top, the landscape looks really flat; but the crevices are wide, deep, and very diverse.

Ritter Island Unit

Next we visit the Ritter Island Unit. It’s here we find more stunning waterfalls and what was once one of the best Guernsey Cow Farms in the country. Minnie Miller was a very intelligent and wealthy woman who created a very successful Dairy Farm. So much so, it was featured in a 1944 National Geographic magazine.

Lemmon Falls

This 130 foot high waterfall can be found along the River Trail just outside the state park. The spray from the falls is incredible to see, but it’s a little stinky as part of it comes from the local fish hatchery further upstream.

Guernsey Farm

One of the things that made Minnie Millers Dairy Farm so unique was that she had the spring water directed into the barn for her cows to drink as well as cool it. Because the pressure from the aqueduct is so strong, no pump was needed to accomplish this.

Minnie was also well ahead of her time, in that she experimented with different foods, etc. She became the premier source for all things Guernsey.

Ritter Island Loop Trail

We caught a glimpse of these falls when we were on the 2nd floor of the barn, but they came into full view as we headed down the Ritter Island Loop Trail toward Minnie Miller Falls.

And, as we stop to look at the falls we see one of the local residents keeping an eye on us.

Minnie Miller Falls

As we reach the viewpoint for Minnie Miller Falls, it’s easy to see why these were her favorite. They just seem to suddenly appear and then disappear in the middle of the canyon wall.

If you look closely at the picture above, what you think is surface disturbances is actually the bottom of the springs. The water is so clear, the bottom can easily be seen.

Box Canyon Unit

The Box Canyon unit of the Thousand Springs State Park contains one of the largest (currently 11th) natural spring in the US. It pumps 2,640 gallons per second and would fill 2,220 sf house in 45 seconds. Below you can see the head of Box Canyon Springs and the pools it creates before flowing along the bottom of the ~400 foot deep canyon to empty into the Snake River.

Box Canyon Springs Trail

Along the path to the waterfall, we can easily see the unusual blue color of the water in the many rapids created by the canyon floor.

Box Canyon Falls

Although this fall only has a 20 foot drop, the force of the water makes it quite a site to behold especially with the unusual blue colors. See & hear on our YouTube channel.

Niagara Springs Unit

Our final stop in the Thousand Springs State Park is the Niagara Springs Unit where we find waterfall after waterfall.

Niagara Springs Falls

The Niagara Springs Falls begins part way down the 350 foot deep canyon wall and shows off it’s icy blue glacier water. Flowing at 250 cubic feet per second, the sound is incredible.

Crystal Springs Falls

Further down the road and behind the State Park entrance booth we find several falls created by “Crystal Springs.”

Juvenile Golden Eagle

On the way back to our campsite we see this incredible fellow; which has been identified as a juvenile Golden Eagle.

Salmon Falls

On this day, after a short visit to the Hagerman Fossil Beds & Thousand Springs State Park Visitor Center, we head out to see Salmon Falls. There are three separate sets of falls… Upper, Salmon, and Lower.

Lower Salmon Falls & Dam

First we head to Lower Salmon Falls & Dam. But, the water is so high, the falls are non-existent. However, there is an interesting display of Hydro-electric equipment used to create power and an explanation of how it’s delivered to homes.

Upper Salmon Falls, Salmon Falls & Reservoir

Next, we head down to the reservoir and eat lunch before heading down the trail toward Salmon Falls and Upper Salmon Falls. It’s here we encounter a sign that looks quite ominous due to the peeling red paint.

We also find Owsley Bridge; which is a historic 1920’s, continuous cantilevered, through-truss bridge. It’s 430 feet long and is the only bridge of it’s kind on the state highway system. It’s no longer in use; but is maintained for it’s historical significance.

Trail to the Falls

As we progress down the trail and begin to see the dam, we see an Osprey sitting on downed tree trunk in the reservoir. And once we get past the dam, we can see a very small water release that currently makes up Salmon Falls.

Salmon Falls, which is usually a series of small drops, is completely submerged and non-existent due to how high the water is.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Next we head into the National Monument and begin to realize just how small it is.

Visitor Center

The visitor center we stopped at earlier contained a small museum as well as some very helpful rangers. It’s here we learned that you can’t actually get anywhere near the dig sites as they’re deemed to be too dangerous. So, the park consists of a few lookouts and one hiking trail.

Snake River Lookout

Oregon Trail Overlook

Historic Oregon Trail Overlook

It’s here you’re supposed to be able to see the wagon ruts from the long ago emigrants traversing the Oregon Trail; but we’re disappointed not to see any signs indicating where these are. It’s all left to your imagination.

It’s later we learn that the wagon ruts wore a path 6 to 10 feet deep and 50 to 100 feet wide. So, instead of looking for individual tracks, it’s actually the entire depression in the hillside.

Balanced Rock Park

On the way back to our campground we stop at Balance Rock Park; which was recommended by one of the Rangers at the visitor center. He suggested we complete the climb to the top for some incredible views of the rock as well as the surrounding area. And we’re glad we did!

Next Stop… Exploring Twin Falls, Idaho