Walters Ferry on the Snake River in Idaho

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Walters Ferry on the Snake River in Idaho

 

June 10, 11,12 & 13 2007.

We are staying at Garrity RV Park in Nampa 10-miles west of Boise. It was $21 per-night for FHU & Cable while every place else in the area seemed to start at $26 and rapidly go up. Garrity was just fine. It was clean, well managed, the sites were close but we were not there and didn't go outside except when heading to and from the automobile. There was a good number of permanent or long term in the campground but they were being managed properly thus were no problem. We would stay at Garrity again but those that like to spend the day and evening under the awning sipping cool ones might rather be in one of the other area parks. N43° 35.245' W116° 31.592'

 

 

We headed west of Boise to the Raptor Center. While we didn't take a lot of pictures in the Raptor Center it was what we expected and is worth a visit when you visit Boise.

 

Our next journey took us to Eagle Island State Park located in Eagle a small community 10-miles north of Boise. Usually State Parks feature unique historic places or geological places of wonder. Eagle Island turned out to be nothing more than local swimming hole on a piece of property donated to the State of Idaho by a local farmer. This became another strike for the Boise area as visiting Eagle Island State Park was a total waste.

Ok, there is a scenic drive beginning in Eagle and heading north through Emmett and points north. This scenic drive was suppose to be a drive through fruit orchards. From Eagle to Emmett we did not see the first orchard. Well, we didn't see an orchard until we got to a scenic overlook above the Payette Valley where Emmett is located. So much for that stretch of scenic drive through fruit orchards. It was nothing more than desert. It is beginning to seem that nothing in the Boise area is as tourist information suggests.

 

Pearl, Idaho Gold Mines

Pearl, Idaho Gold Mines

 

 

At the overlook above the valley surrounding Emmett we read about the gold mine at Pearl 10-miles or more east of here in the mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freezeout Hill near Boise

Freezeout Hill near Boise

 

 

 

This kiosk was also at the pullout and was about happenings in the well watered Payette Valley where Emmett is located.

 

 

 

 

After visiting Emmett we decided that this was NOT going to be the route we would be taking north. Things were just not as portrayed. It does appear that orchards may become more prevalent north of Emmett.

Wednesday found us scouting areas to the south and west of Nampa (Boise). We took SR-45 southwest out of Nampa heading to the Snake River and the historical site of Walters Ferry.

For fifty years from 1863 an important link in the Boise-San Francisco stage route.

 

Walters Ferry on the Snake River

Walters Ferry

 

At the site of Walters Ferry we were able to learn about this steamer on the Snake River that did not make a go of it. I bet that was one hair-raising ride through Hell's Canyon to the Columbia River.

 

 

 

 

 

Walter's Ferry Museum

Walter's Ferry Museum

 

 

At the Walter's Ferry site an individual has developed a "menagerie" for lack of a better term. Museum might describe a portion of what is there but smorgasbord would be a better description. When you arrive at the Snake River on SR 45 proceed to the store/gas station on the north & east side of the river. As you pull into the store notice that there is a small road leading to the river, take it as if you were going to the river. As you near the river you can turn to your left where there will be a parking lot.

If you are in an RV I would leave in at the top of the hill in the parking lot around the gas station. It is a very short walk down to the Snake River and everything available at the museum/menagerie.

 

 

 

Basalt near Walter's Ferry

Basalt near Walter's Ferry

 

 

 

A thin layer of basalt covered this mesa. As the basalt weathers it crumbles and falls down the face of this cliff it created a "dark-face" on the otherwise light colored sediments.

 

 

 

 

Givens Springs north of Walters Ferry

Givens Springs north of Walters Ferry

 

 

Givens Springs was located on the west side of the river. If we were doing the drive again we would take the east side of the river from Walters Ferry (at the Snake River Bridge on SR 45) to Marsing, OR. (SR 45 Bridge on the Snake River) on Map Rock Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bales of alfalfa north of Walter's Ferry, Idaho

north of Walter's Ferry

 

Bales of hay along the Snake River Valley between Walters Ferry and Marsing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mowing alfalfa hay north of Walters Ferry

north of Walters Ferry

 

 

 

Irrigated hay fields make up the vast majority of farming in this region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uplift with thin basalt caprock

Uplift with thin basalt caprock

 

 

This is an interesting piece of geology. Note the thin lava rock cap overlying softer sedimentary layers. Also note the uplift on the left side pushing the original flat landscape to what looks like a 45-degree angle.

 

 

 

 

 

Froman's Ferry

Froman's Ferry

 

 

 

 

This kiosk was located near the SR 55 bridge over the Snake River in Marsing. The sign was located on the Idaho side of the bridge.

 

 

 

 

Great Egret

Great Egret

 

 

 

 

 

This great egret was fishing in a small pond near the bridge in Marsing It is amazing to us to see this bird so far north. They are very common in Florida and Louisiana swamp areas.

 

 

 

 

 

Peach orchard Marsing, Idaho

Peach orchard Marsing, Idaho

 

 

 

 

Marsing had some peach orchards.

 

 

 

 

 

Irrigated corn field west of Boise, Idaho

Irrigated corn field west of Boise, Idaho

 

But large fields of corn seem to have replaced the more common hay fields.

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time remember how good life is.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix

 

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