Long and Beautiful Drive

Monday, May 19, 2014--Missoula, MT to Twin Falls, ID

We headed back into Idaho today and took two of their scenic byways.  It was a long trip through very remote areas.  The biggest town along the route had only 3,000 people.  Most had under 1000, although we traveled 385 miles (660 km).  Distances between towns were great.

Traveling through Montana was nothing special for a long distance.  Then we started paralleling the Bitterroot Mountains which are beautiful.  The route was one followed by Lewis and Clark when they explored this area.  The mountain pass where we moved into Idaho was spectacular--the Lost Trail Pass.  It was over 7000 feet (2000 m) in elevation, and there was still snow on the ground everywhere including the ski runs there.

The ride remained wonderful from there until just a short distance before we reached Twin Falls.  Just beyond the border we stopped in Salmon, an historical mining town just across the border and walked the streets exploring.  Then we began the Salmon River Scenic Byway from there to Challis.  At that point, we switched to the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway which we drove in its entirety.  We passed high mountains.  We we drove through huge, wide valleys.  Toward the end of the latter byway, we stopped at the Craters of the Moon National Monument.  Although interesting, I found it to be a disappointment.  So many times, I have heard that it is so much like the moon that the astronauts trained there.  But it really is a desert terrain with lots of growing brush.  There are sections with a rocky lava terrain that make it worth seeing, but no one should go there thinking it is going to be like visiting the moon.  (It's interesting to note, however, that most people try to take photos to show it being barren, since we probably all come here thinking it will truly be like the moon.  Note how the photos at the link emphasize the barren areas although most of the terrain, in reality, is rugged brush.)

We drove into Twin Falls for the evening.  We were tired and decided to wait until tomorrow morning to explore the town.