Thousand Springs State Park near Twin Falls, ID

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

After yesterday's touring around Twin Falls, we discovered there was much more to see in the immediate area.  So with rain/snow and wind in the forecast, we got an early start.
Thousand Springs State Park is an expansive park with 5 units combined for visitors to view thousands of gallons of water flowing from volcanic cliffs.  Malad Gorge, Kelton Trail, Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, Billingsley Creek, Ritter Island, Crystal Springs and Niagra Springs.  These springs come from a massive underground aquifer that flows under the Snake River plateau.

We did make it to all five units of the park, but did not take photos at all of them.

MALAD GORGE:

This is a yellow-bellied Marmot, or "Rock Chuck".  We saw a bunch of these critters.  Shy and curious about us.

 

According to park signs, this is called the "Devils Washbowl"

Looking downstream, you can see how precarious the edge appears to be and another waterfall in the distance.

It is ironic that this spectacular view is under I-84.  Most travelers will miss it. 

Malad River before it joins the Snake River.

Looking back from farther down the rim.

Again, a park sign said this division of the water was to provide irrigation water for agriculture.

The river and gorge is to Dusty's immediate left.

We wondered how long before this fissure would expand and drop rock into the canyon.

RITTER ISLAND:
At Ritter Island, you drive down into the Snake River Canyon, and you can step back in time to be able to tour what was once a dairy farm.


Did you notice the water spurting out of the walls of the canyon?

This is the hay loft, now empty.

 WOW!

From the Internet:
The springs that burst out of the canyon walls represent the end of a journey of water that begins in the Craters of the Moon area nearly 100 miles away. Ritter Island is one of the best places to see this firsthand. The “lost rivers” of south central Idaho flow over the extensive lava fields of the Craters of the Moon area, and the water sinks into the porous lava and disappears underground. The water stays underground for perhaps 200 years, until it flows as waterfalls out of the canyon walls of the Middle Snake River. The water is crystal clear and pure, creating beautiful springs and pools.

 The water is as blue as glacier water! And just as frigid!

 

We made it to all  five of the units that make up the Thousand Springs parks. There were many more photos, but if you ever find yourself in the area, these two units were the standouts!