My hiking partner leaves Edmonton, Alberta at 3:00 AM to pick me up in Calgary at 6:30 AM. Following a quick gear transfer, I take over the familiar drive south through Alberta past foothills of rolling grassland to the Canada/USA border at Coutts. The early morning sun paints Montana grain fields orange and a light breeze animates the surface with waves until formidable buttes appear as a precursor to the incredible ride into the Big Belt Mountains. Past the Teton River, Great Falls, Montana leads to the rollercoaster ride into the capital city of Helena via impressive Wolf Creek canyons. Old mining days are visually represented roadside by crumbling structures at Basin. Our objective on this long driving day is either Butte, Montana or Idaho Falls. We are on the way to Yosemite National Park.
First night accommodation at Guesthouse Inn, Dillon, Montana, USA
We compromise at Dillon, Montana and stay overnight at the Guesthouse Inn which offers an indoor hot tub, a pool and a free 6:00 AM hot breakfast. Following a light supper and an interesting walkabout through Dillon, we go to bed early. The setting sun is rendered crimson by forest fires near Dillon.
A great breakfast, including self-made waffles precedes the drive south on I-15 over the Continental Divide at 6,879 ft (2,094 m) Monida Pass where Montana joins Idaho. On this day we will interrupt the long drive to California with an excursion into Idaho’s fascinating Craters of the Moon National Monument. From I-15 we turn west at Dubois and begin the beautiful high-desert drive south on Hwy 22 past Arco, Idaho into the lava fields of the Craters of the Moon National Monument.
One of many historical markers between Dillon, Montana and Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho
Mel at the entrance to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, USA
The nature of the terrain as we approach the entrance to Craters of the Moon National Monument
A viewpoint near the entrance illustrates the enormity of the 750,000 acre volcanic field.
A viewpoint near the official entrance shows recent lava flow as far as the eye can see.
After checking into the Visitor Center, and picking up our caving permit, we will hike short trails off the 7 mile (11.2 KM) one-way loop road. The first is the 0.3 mile (0.5 KM) North Crater Flow Trail. Elevation differential is negligible. Paths are easily navigable.
The trailhead sign for North Crater Flow near the Craters of the Moon NM Visitor Center
The loop offers interesting and informative interpretive information to identify the nature of different types of lava flow. This new lava eruption occurred within the Great Rift about 2,000 years ago.
The dimples behind the smooth flow foreground are squeeze ups created by large bubbles of gas.
The new 2,000 year old lava can be compared to more mature 7,500-year-old lava in the background.
Over thousands of years, the rugged new lava is changed into smooth land covered by vegetation.
These large chunks of lava floated here on molten rock when the side of an active volcano collapsed.
The surface of faster-moving smooth or ropy lava may harden with lava flowing underneath creating caves, tubes and tunnels.
A vacant space underneath the hard surface may lead to a collapse as shown above.
Near the end of the short North Crater Trail, remnants of the 2,000-year-old volcano stand prominently.
The Visitor Center and North Crater Flow Trail are good places to begin a tour of Craters of the Moon National Monument because interpretive exhibits explain the fundamentals of terrain and vegetation. For the next few hours we will enjoy a broad range of experiences and learn more about the fascinating nature of new volcanic terrain. I understand this may be less interesting if you happen to live in the Hawaiian Islands or Iceland.
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Sounds like a fun trip. I can’t wait to see all the places and pictures
Charlie recently posted..Edmonton – Horsehead Pump (SRP) – Part 1
We had a great time and experienced a wide range of hiking environments. Yosemite National Park provided a broad range of terrain. We staged from four different areas to hike major portions of the park and I will post those over the winter months. Recently I did a hike and bike tour through Bowness Park and Baker Park on opposite sides of the Bow River in Calgary and it appears your fall colour in Edmonton is similar to what we have here in Calgary, Alberta. Strange year. Long winter, late summer and it appears we will have a short fall..
I have only been to Calgary once. I plan on being in Calgary this winter. Any suggestion for photographs?
Charlie recently posted..Edmonton – Horsehead Pump (SRP) – Part 1
The weather is always a factor in the mountains and particularly in and around Calgary which experiences warming Chinooks in the winter. There is a wealth of opportunity in the Bow Corridor at Canmore. Banff and Lake Louise always offer a multitude of opportunities at any time of the year. The problem here is not finding spectacular photograph; it is more when to stop and trying to isolate the highlights. You will have a wonderful time. There are a number of photographers who work out of Canmore and Banff National Park. Their sites would be good reference. With your outstanding eye for an excellent composition there will be an infinite number of possibilities.
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Great post as usual, Barry!
Takes me back to when I visited Arco and Craters Of The Moon in the summer of ’09 on the way home to Calgary from Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Next time you are passing through (If you haven’t already been to see it), very close to Dillon, MT is the well preserved ghost town of Bannack in Bannack State Park — well worth a visit.
We stayed in Dillon the first night of the Yosemite trip and prior to our exploration of Craters of the Moon. For years I have wanted to take a month and do nothing more than visit old mining towns in Montana. It is a goldmine of opportunity (no pun intended) for anyone who shares my fascination with history, and achievement through hardship. Thank you for mentioning Bannack. We learned of its existence but there was not time on the recent trip to take advantage of the opportunity but it is on the list and potentially a component of the upcoming trip to Zion and Bryce later this year. Thank you for your comment, Randey. Much appreciated. And I am glad we have shared the opportunity to explore some of the same trail. There are photos and narrative in this blog for our last trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Amazing parks jammed with natural wonders and magnificent scenery.