Twin Falls and Idaho Falls
Apr 14, 2017 08:15:33 #
I am heading out west and want to know if it is worth to stop and see Twin Falls and Idaho Falls, of course in IDAHO. I will be traveling from Beaver Creek, Colorado to Seattle and I am interested but don't want to waste too much time on them if they are not worth it. Thanks.
Apr 14, 2017 08:24:18 #
The river walk in Idaho Falls is nice. And the Snake River gorges while not well indicated offer spectacular scenes, both west of Idaho Falls and toward the Tetons.
Apr 14, 2017 08:26:17 #
Also, the Craters of the Moon lava flows are between TF and IF, a wild and picturesque scene.
Apr 14, 2017 08:29:19 #
I highly recommend stopping by Shoshone Falls, just a few miles from Twin Falls.
When I was there it was late in the season, I can only imagine what they look like now with all of the heavy runoff.
The Twin Falls are probably pretty impressive right now too.
Idaho Falls...............uh not so much...........but still pretty.
When I was there it was late in the season, I can only imagine what they look like now with all of the heavy runoff.
The Twin Falls are probably pretty impressive right now too.
Idaho Falls...............uh not so much...........but still pretty.
Apr 14, 2017 08:55:51 #
Shoshone Falls, just east of Twin Falls a couple miles is well worth seeing, especially this time of year. Lots of water going over right now. Later in mid-summer, not so much. I'm not aware of Twin Falls, other than the city, and there's not much to see there. To the west of Twin Falls, along Hwy 30 is the Thousand Springs area where there are numerous water falls coming down the sides of the cliffs on the north side of the road. Be sure to stop in at the Snake River Grill in Hagerman and sample their deep fried alligator. In fact, there's an alligator farm a few miles to the east of Hagerman.
Craters of the Moon park is interesting, but I don't know if I'd actually call it scenic so much as very interesting. If you take Hwy 93 north out of Twin Falls, you will come to Ketchum and Sun Valley. While that's not particularly interesting, the drive over Galena Summit (about 9000') to Stanley is beautiful, with great views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Why 21 from Stanley to Boise is also worth driving. But if Boise isn't on your list of destinations on your trip, you can turn right off Hwy 21 at Lowman, onto the Banks-Lowman Hwy going the 35 miles out through Garden Valley to Idaho 55 at Banks. The South Fork of the Payette River is absolutely stunning along the way. After that, you have several route choices to pick, but I'd recommend going north on Hay 55 to McCall, then north on Hwy 95 out of New Meadows, to Lewiston and Coeur D'Alene. You might hook up with Regis there, and maybe he can turn you on to some of his eagles. Then it's west through Spokane and Seattle.
As for Idaho Falls, I wouldn't spend a bunch of time there. No disrespect meant toward those residents. It's just not a must-see place, IMO.
Craters of the Moon park is interesting, but I don't know if I'd actually call it scenic so much as very interesting. If you take Hwy 93 north out of Twin Falls, you will come to Ketchum and Sun Valley. While that's not particularly interesting, the drive over Galena Summit (about 9000') to Stanley is beautiful, with great views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Why 21 from Stanley to Boise is also worth driving. But if Boise isn't on your list of destinations on your trip, you can turn right off Hwy 21 at Lowman, onto the Banks-Lowman Hwy going the 35 miles out through Garden Valley to Idaho 55 at Banks. The South Fork of the Payette River is absolutely stunning along the way. After that, you have several route choices to pick, but I'd recommend going north on Hay 55 to McCall, then north on Hwy 95 out of New Meadows, to Lewiston and Coeur D'Alene. You might hook up with Regis there, and maybe he can turn you on to some of his eagles. Then it's west through Spokane and Seattle.
As for Idaho Falls, I wouldn't spend a bunch of time there. No disrespect meant toward those residents. It's just not a must-see place, IMO.
Apr 14, 2017 09:14:38 #
Apr 15, 2017 08:55:11 #
Having grown up in the area I would agree with Wingpilot with one change. At Lewiston I would turn west and follow the Columbia river to Portland. Not only is it a beautiful drive, but you will experience one of the most dramatic climate changes in the world. In about 100 miles you will go from an area with about 9-11 inches of rain pr year to an area with over 40 inches pr year.
Apr 15, 2017 10:13:35 #
Thanks. I will be traveling at the end of June. Hope it is still nice at that time. I have heard that the falls lose water at certain times of the year.
Apr 15, 2017 10:25:19 #
Don709 wrote:
Having grown up in the area I would agree with Wingpilot with one change. At Lewiston I would turn west and follow the Columbia river to Portland. Not only is it a beautiful drive, but you will experience one of the most dramatic climate changes in the world. In about 100 miles you will go from an area with about 9-11 inches of rain pr year to an area with over 40 inches pr year.
Forgot about that route. I agree, the Columbia Gorge is an amazing area. A must see spot is the Multnomah Falls.
Apr 15, 2017 10:27:22 #
vininnj2u wrote:
Thanks. I will be traveling at the end of June. Hope it is still nice at that time. I have heard that the falls lose water at certain times of the year.
If you're referring to Shoshone Falls, yes, that is true. In the summer, it's dry, so there's less water, and also, the irrigation folks divert a lot of water so the farmers will have water for their crops, so the falls pretty much dwindles. The best time for viewing the falls is April and May before they reduce the flow.
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