Activity #8 Big Elk Creek Trail

Swan Valley has become a prime spot for great trails to check out. Through good research of the trails, I decided to check out Big Elk Creek trail. My roommates and I left at about 9:00 AM and got to the trail head for the hike at about 10:15 AM. The route is taking Swan Valley highway towards the Palisades reservoir which is about 45 miles down from the Ririe turnoff. The turn off to the trail is called Big Elk Creek road which is right before the big bend that loops around a part of the reservoir. It's pretty easy to spot on the left at the large downhill bend. The road is unpaved that follows a ridge and the trail head is about 2 miles back at the campgrounds.

We were the only ones there at this time of the day because I think many people figured there would be a lot of snow. Well, they were right because we did encounter fair amounts of snow along the trail. However, we didn't let that get in the way of our hike.

The trail overall was a pretty good one. It wasn't very strenuous for the parts we did and we went about 3.5 miles in and then turned back around. There are open canyons with nice views of the mountains and the creek is alongside the trail for most of the way. There are large rocks right along the path as good trail marks to know where you are at. Since we started early, most of the trail was in the shadow still from the sunlight which made a good 10 degree difference in temperature at least.

The snow became too much at about 3.5 miles and we felt like snowshoeing more than hiking at this time of the year. The snowfall from 5 days before made a big impact. We did notice lots of wildlife prints along the trail in the snow but we didn't encounter anything personally.

After our hike, we again went to Alpine for a bite to eat because it was only 5-10 minutes down the road. It has become a good place to relax after a good hike.

This time of the year is more difficult trying to hike shortly after snowfalls but it's still doable. I think this is a great trail to check out and will be even better without the snow.

Activity #7 Mesa Falls and Warm River Campgrounds

I heard a lot about Mesa Falls and how neat of an area it is to visit. I decided I would take a trip up that way to check it out for myself. I was a little concerned about some snow up there but I still decided to go.

I left Rexburg about 9:45 AM for Mesa Falls. The trip takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to travel to the Mesa Falls parking lot. Head north on 20 from Rexburg until you reach Ashton and take a right on Idaho 47. Stay on this road for about 15 miles and you'll be at Mesa Falls lower and upper parking lot. The signs are hard to miss which come after signs that say the road is no longer maintained to keep the snow plowed.

Unfortunately this time of the year, there was snow already on the road but was still drive able in my Mazda 3. However, the road going down to Upper Falls looked very packed with snow and I almost got my car stuck so I turned around. I was disappointed but I didn't want to risk getting stranded so I headed back. I was able to get pictures of the lower Mesa Falls from a distance but I wasn't able to make it to the upper Mesa Falls on the trail I planned to hike. I came up with a little back up plan.

I found a campground called Warm River campground about 4 miles heading back that was at the bottom of the bend of the road that crosses the river. I decided to check it out and turned left right before the bridge and followed the road all the way to the end. I entered into the campground and went to the very back where a trail head started. I got excited to see another trail so I started exploring it. From this trail head, Bear Gulch was about 4 miles down. I hiked only about 2 miles and headed back because of my toe injury. The trail wasn't named but it was pretty as it followed the Warm River. When I came back, I stopped at the campground for a bit and had my lunch and just relaxed. It was very nice and there were some people in the river doing fly fishing with success.

Overall this was thought to be a disappointment to not see the entire Mesa Falls but the Warm River campground made up for it. It's a nice place to have a picnic or do some fishing along the river because I saw some fish jumping for the short time I ate my lunch.

Activity #6 Craters of the Moon National Park

I left at 8:45 AM from Rexburg to arrive at 10:30 AM at the park entrance. Pretty open drive with nothing but a really small town between Idaho Falls and Arco. I encountered the weirdest and most dense fog cloud that looked like a lot of smoke but was just part of the weather patterns that morning. It lasted for a good 15 miles of the trip between Idaho Falls and Arco.

Arco looked like a neat visitor town of about 1000 people that live there. It reminded me of a cool stopping place along old historic Route 66. Apparently there is a well known "Atomic" burger in town at a restaurant called "Pickle's Place" that I decided to try when I come back through heading home.

I stopped at the visitor center coming into the park. I grabbed a map and a cave permit from the ranger and asked for suggestions on where to go. He told some spots and I marked them on the map. The places I went to were North Crater trail, Indian Caves, and Tree Molds Trail.

There is an $8 fee to enter the park per car. The roads are nicely paved which is very nice. I stopped along the way to take pictures of the nice landscape. I stopped at North Crater trail and parked my car in that little parking lot. I did the 1.8 mile hike to see the big craters which was really cool. Near the end before the spatter cones I stopped at the top of the trail by the big craters to eat my lunch. I loved looking out over the huge landscape and pondering while I ate. Once I got to the spatter cones I hiked back to the car which was another 1.8 miles back. It is more strenuous with some steep inclines and declines in the trail.

I then drove over to the cave trails to visit Indian tunnel and go through there. There are 4 caves you can do but Indian tunnel was the only one I could do without a flashlight. It was a really cool experience and I recommend going through the tunnel all the way. I went into the Beauty cave a little ways and found out quickly it was way too dark for my phone flashlight and I wanted to take someone with me for that one. I wasn't scared or anything…

I then headed over to do the Tree Molds trail with the time I had left. I took lots of pictures because the trail was a hit! I hiked the two miles and went a little further on unmarked trails. The view was spectacular as it looked out for miles and miles. The mountains were off to the right the entire time. The hike was much easier than the North crater trail and was a little bit longer at 2.0 miles one way. I took lots of panoramic pictures because I just couldn't help it.

When I was done with my adventures at the park, I stopped in Arco to eat at Pickle's Place, home of the "Atomic" burger. I love traveling the road and stopping in little towns to try their food and learn some history about the place.

A few things I found out about Arco. It's powered off of atomic power from the INL plant on the outside of town. There is a graduate hill where each graduating class puts their number up there.  The "Atomic" burger was okay but nothing over the top for me.

Overall this was a great day adventure. I highly recommend it to check out and enjoy the place. I want to go back and explore the remaining caves with another person and a strong flashlight.

Activity #5, Hiking Palisades Creek Trail

This has been my favorite hike to date. It has been absolutely incredible to travel to this place and see all the neat things along the way. I loved the scenery of the mountains through Swan Valley. Even more, I was taken back by the amazing views along this trail. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

I left at about 10:15 AM in the morning. The drive is about an hour long and I arrived at the trail head at about 11:15 AM. From Rexburg, travel to Ririe and then to highway 29. Palisades Creek road is about 40 miles down the highway towards Swan Valley.

I packed warm clothes just in case and I certainly used them. I brought a sandwich, carrots/cucumbers, protein Nature Valley bar, and a Clif bar to snack on during my trip. Also brought lots of water. Make sure your shoes are good support because there are many rocks on the trail.

The hike took me about 5 hours to do for a total distance of close to 14 miles. That included breaks to take pictures, a lunch break for about 15 minutes, and 20 minutes take in the view at the upper lakes. 

The trail head starts off of Palisades Creek road.  There is a gate where the sign is at to drive your car through and a parking lot on the other side. I parked my car just before the gate and walked the extra little way to the trail head.

In the shade, the trail was definitely cold at this time of the year. Make sure you have some warm clothes. Don't get freaked out by the bear sign. Be on the lookout for one but it is a very rare occasion. I didn't personally see any large wildlife from the trail.

This was one of my favorite trails to hike. It follows the creek for most of it which is a beautiful sight at many points along the way. The trail goes in between the mountains which provide some amazing shots to take with a camera. I took so many because it was incredible to see.

The lower palisades lake is about 5 miles in. The trail is not difficult but again do take some good shoes because you'll be stepping on lots of rocks. The lower lakes view is great and nearby are some campgrounds to take a rest. The upper lakes is another 2.5 miles after that which I went to. If you can make the trip, I would certainly recommend it because it is just amazing to see. This trail is more strenuous to do because of the rising switchbacks. Make sure you can get there and back before dawn because it took me just over 2 hours to get back to the car from the upper lakes at a quick walking pace.

I did this trail alone and I would recommend you bring someone if possible but it can be done alone if you feel comfortable. There is no cell service from the time you turn on to the road for the trail, so be aware. There is a notepad log that you should sign to let the rangers know when you entered and left the trail in case something were to happen.

I decided to make this trip even more fun personally after the hike and I traveled out to Alpine, Wyoming about 20 miles further down highway 29. The drive there is absolutely gorgeous as you travel along side the huge reservoir or water up against the mountains. When I arrived in Alpine, I celebrated to myself by eating at Yankee Doodles cafe... pure American! It's a fun little restaurant to try out and you'll love the history they have throughout that restaurant.

Overall this trail was my favorite so far. It was very refreshing and enlightening  to think and reflect along the trail. I certainly recommend it! Go out there and have fun!