Pocatello to Idaho Falls

This stop is a broad brush of Southwestern Idaho from Pocatello to Idaho Falls. We hike, visit museums, and explore cities via biking their greenbelt trails.

Massacre Rocks State Park

As we travel from Twin Falls to Pocatello we stop for our lunch/leg stretch at Massacre Rocks State Park. It’s here we learn that “Massacre Rocks” is actually across the interstate from the Visitor Center and we won’t be able to walk there.

This pile of rocks earned it’s name in 1862 when Indians attacked several wagon trains at this location, killing ten pioneers.

Wagon Rut Trial

Before lunch, we go to the eastern edge of the park for the Wagon Rut Trail. This short trail travels along the Snake River and the interstate for a short distance before going under both sections of the divided interstate via tunnels.

Once we reach the end of the trail we find information boards with stories of what it was like for the emigrants on the trail, as well as a sign post showing the trail ruts. Again, we’re looking for individual ruts; and only learn later that the “wagon ruts” are actually the 6-10 foot deep and 50-100 foot wide depression in the earth made by the thousands of wagons that passed through here.

Devil’s Garden

After lunch at the Visitors Center we walk through the first campground loop to Devil’s Garden. So named for the unusual rock knobs that have lasted for centuries and are now covered in multi-colored lichen.

Scientists believe that these rock formations were created by gases and water coming to the surface after a volcanic eruption.

Geology Trail

Circling back to the Visitor Center, we go up the Geology Trail and get a good view of the Snake River.

Pocatello

Known as the “Gateway to the Northwest” due to it’s historical stopping point for emigrants on the Oregon Trail, this small town offers great recreation opportunities.

Wiggle Worm Trail

We begin our exploration with one of the highest rated trails in Pocatello… the Wiggle Worm Trail. Which, is definitely true to its name, as this trail wiggles back and forth over the side of the hills leading up to Chinese Peak. The horizonal lines across the hillside in the picture below are actually the trail weaving it’s way down.

The promised views are worth doing this trail…

…but we are lucky enough to get wildflowers as well. We see all the usual suspects, as well as a few new ones.

Bannock County Historical Complex

After a quick picnic lunch at the trailhead we head to the Bannock County Historical Complex.

This complex offers a Museum, a replica of Fort Hall, and a recreation of a 1900’s main street.

Museum

The museum is small; but offers many interesting displays highlighting local history. Here are pictures of some of the things we enjoyed learning about.

Fort Hall Replica

Taking the back exit from the museum we head out to explore the Fort Hall Replica. Fort Hall was an Indian and Trapper trading post established in 1834 and then sold to the Hudson Bay Company in 1837. According to the plaque outside the fort, “It was the vital point on the Oregon and California Immigration Trails and in establishing territorial claims of the United States to the Pacific Northwest.”

The fort is full of historically accurate displays, stories from the people who passed through here, and much more.

Recreation of a 1900’s Main Street

After we leave the fort, we head over to the 1900’s Main Street. This was a little less interesting as we weren’t able to go inside any of the buildings. But, we were able to peek through the windows and there were sculptures all along the street made from scrap metal that added a bit of levity to the scene.

Blackfoot

Known as the Potato Capital of the World, Blackfoot is the home of the Idaho Potato Museum. It’s also the home of the Idaho State Fair.

Greenbelt

We decide to explore Blackfoot by taking a relaxing ride around the Greenbelt. The trail goes around their small airport, Jensen’s Grove Lake, Blackfoot Golf Course, across and along the Snake River, all the way up to Rose Ponds Park and back.

The ride is beautiful and provides a great overview of what Blackfoot has to offer.

Hells Half Acre, South Trails – Lava Beds

A little further up the road in Blackfoot we find a rest stop in between Blackfoot and Idaho Falls that is at the southern end of Hells Half Acre Wilderness Study Area. This stop offers short, interpretive trails that teach us about the lava flows in the area as well as the plants and animals that live here.

A few of the most interesting things we took away from this stop are:

• the lava flows here were not the result of a volcanic eruption, but instead it gently flowed from a deep crack in the earth’s crust about 4,100 years ago
• some of the trees here are over 400 years old
• the highway is built directly over these lava fields, where we’ve just read that the lava tubes collapse regularly. Yikes, sinkhole anyone?

Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls is known for it’s 20 foot high and 600 foot wide waterfall along it’s greenbelt, which is where we’re exploring today.

Greenbelt Trail

This 10 mile paved loop trail runs along both sides of the Snake River and offers views of the river, city, surrounding mountains and most importantly, an incredible view of the waterfall. We actually made the trail longer by following the Snake River path down the east side; which required the dogging of a lot of sprinklers in Russ Freeman Park.

On the west side of the trail we get a good look at the Idaho Falls – Idaho Temple. This is the first temple constructed in Idaho by the Latter-day-Saints. Completed in 1945, the tower is designed to draw the eye upward toward heaven.

We also find one of the finest examples of the metal sculptures that can be found all along the greenbelt. This one is completely covered in plants that have been cultivated to resemble fur.

The Falls of Idaho Falls

Only a short distance later we come upon the beginning of The Falls, and I say beginning, because these falls are over 600 feet long and cannot be completely seen from one location.

Idaho Falls was originally known as Eagle Rock. The name was changed in 1891 in reference to the rocky outcroppings and the rapids in the middle of the Snake River.

After spending time looking at and learning about the The Falls, we decide to take a break and have lunch.

Smitty’s Pancake & Steak House

Just a block up from the Greenbelt, and known for it’s incredible food, we decided to have lunch at Smitty’s Pancake & Steak House. I ordered a very healthy omelet; which came with pancakes. I asked to substitute a cinnamon roll expecting fewer carbs, and ended up with this instead. A cinnamon roll the size of a dinner plate swimming in frosting. So much for good intentions.

Japanese Friendship Garden

Just after lunch, we head back to the Greenbelt and immediately come across more of the falls and the Japanese Friendship Garden. Located on an island in the middle of the Snake River this is the site of the first bridge to span the Snake River in Eastern Idaho.

Giant Eagle Waterfall Nest

Next, we head about a block off the Greenbelt to see the “Giant Eagle Waterfall Next” sculpture; which is located in the middle of a roundabout. This stunning sculpture has a faux mountain waterfall with two soaring eagles and a nest.

Lower Idaho Falls Dam & Heritage Park

Toward the end of the trail, we find Heritage Park and the Lower Idaho Falls Dam.

Next stop… Relaxing in Swan Valley