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Please click here for - Part Six
Homeward Bound
There was a small sign along highway 20 in Idaho we’d seen many times as we passed. Along with an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction, it read, “Little City of Rocks.” We had passed the sign again at the beginnings of this trip and it stuck in our memory.
Little City of Rocks is just north of the Snake River Plain. The rhyolite and welded ash in a gulch have eroded into spires and columns. A narrow two track leads in from pavement to a small parking area.
The most abundant wildflower here was Lewis’ Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Although it was warm, this was a very pleasant stop. Chukars were plentiful and quite loud here.
Our USGS topo map had another area a few miles to the northwest labeled, “City of Rocks.” We’d see if we could negotiate a route out to this third “City of Rocks” in Idaho.
The views were vast. A thunderstorm was building over the Boise Mountains to the north.
We set up camp at a spot that gave us the best 360° view. The bluff overlooks the Snake River Plain to the south. In the dark of night, we had city lights far below us.
Our first wander away from camp took us to Coyote Spring down in a shallow gully.
Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum)
After dinner, we spent the evening wandering among and through the rhyolite formations. We were sure we were at the correct place, but someone had also painted a sign on a rock.
It cooled nicely but we still slept with all the windows open. The morning was very nice.
We headed west toward Oregon, always staying on backroads. The view is so much different and better than when on the dreaded interstate. We had noted a hot spring named on our USGS topo – Indian Bathtub on Hot Creek, a tributary to the Bruneau River. The name alone was enough to stir our imaginations. It took work but we found a rough road that led into the area. There was a parking spot and a trail that dropped into the drainage.
We found the Indian Bathtub but one important item was missing – water.
Once back home, with research I found this information – “Years ago the original Indian Bathtub hot spring lost its flow due to the local farmers using aquifers to irrigate their fields. This type of irrigation led to the Bruneau Hot Springs Snail being put on the Federal Endangered Species list.”
On our westward journey across Idaho, we intersected with highway 95 after deciding not to visit Silver City. A short way in on Silver City Road was a large staging area for offloading thrillcraft – ATVs and UTVs and such. No way did we want to get in the middle of that nonsense. Silver City must get regular infestations of these insects.
We turned onto highway 95 and headed into Oregon.
Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, was the son of Sacajawea. He was born during Lewis & Clark’s Expedition – The Corps of Discovery.
His grave is near what is now Danner, Oregon where he died in 1866 on his way to the Montana goldfields.
We came to the realization that this was Friday afternoon of the upcoming long 4th of July weekend as the northbound traffic grew in numbers along with a serious increase in careless and dangerous driving. We had to get off this highway.
North of Whitehorse Ranch Road, up on Twelvemile Ridge, we found a perfect overnight spot.
Speed goats and coyotes were our only neighbors. We again slept with all windows and the door open. The temperature during the day had reached 95°. The cooling night air was a delight.
The morning sun lit up the Steens Mountain escarpment to the west.
On our way by, we stopped at Willow Creek Hot Springs. Three camps were set up at the camping area recently improved by the BLM. A CXT toilet has been added. It was a usual cast of characters that are found near hot springs. One gentleman very kindly told us he was leaving if we’d like to take his spot.
“Thanks,” I replied, “But it’s too hot for a soak and we think a better idea for today is a milkshake at Fields Station.”
Since it was 10:30 in the morning, we ordered a 3C flavor milkshake to share. 10:30 in the morning is not too early for a famous Fields Station milkshake, is it? We sure didn’t think so.
We entered Nevada and checked out Bogs Creek Hot Spring. The 3 or 4 times we’ve stopped here it has been in the nineties, the same as today.
We also stopped at Virgin Valley in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.The usual cast of characters, including large groups, were present at the spring pool and campground.
It was hot and we were growing tired of the heat. We talked about where to camp for the night. One thing for sure, we wanted to get as high as we could with the hope for cooler temperatures. I suggested the top of the Abert Rim. So back into Oregon we went.
The wildflowers were in their prime.
Snowy Ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus)
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
A bumblebee on Indian Paintbrush
We camped right on the edge of the rim.
It took work to get the truck leveled……….
………. but we put the “ball in the basket.”
Perhaps I should start calling the Lady the “App Girl.” A friend, Trailer Woman (we need to come up with a new name, she recently sold the trailer) introduced her to the Seek App.The Lady now has it on her phone and is getting quite good with identifying wildflowers. We have the free Truma App on our 8” pad. Once we set up the app with the dimensions of our truck, we lay the pad flat on our camper floor, and it provides the measurements, in inches, that each tire need to be raised to achieve level. It this instance it was nine inches, six inches, and three inches.
“Basket! We put the ball in the basket!” she exclaimed. She loves success.
Back at the beginning of this story, I mentioned Idyllwild Campground being a birders’ destination. We learned that from a couple, birders, who were also camped there. The woman excitedly told the Lady about the Merlin App that identifies birds by their vocalizations. Pretty cool. Yup, App Girl has Merlin on her phone now too.
Note - as the Lady was helping edit this, she pointedly said, "I am not the App Girl! Do not call me App Girl" This is the last we'll ever hear of that nickname.
It was a quiet, wonderful night, the last night of our trip with us perched on the edge of the Abert Rim. Taking in the morning light and watching it make its way across the landscape was thrilling.
It was Sunday morning of the long 4th of July weekend. And it was time to get home. On weekends, and especially holidays, it is so busy in our area. We thought Sunday would be the best day to carefully move through the masses. It was manageable. The Chilcoot General Store was really busy, too busy for us, when we drove by. And it was too late in the day to try the cinnamon rolls.
“The cinnamon rolls are good,” I recall hearing the young woman with red and black hair tell us.
Home safe and sound, we unloaded the truck and camper. It got a good washing – pounds of caked on mud and cricket guts were removed. The next day we took care of maintenance chores on the truck. The old truck still looks new and is doing great and it’s been paid for now for a couple of decades.
And there you have.
Another wonderful ride!! Thanks, as always, for letting us come along. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. Thanks for the kind comment Professor Dan!
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