MESA FALLS SCENIC BYWAY, IDAHO

SUNRISE AT JOLLEY CAMPER RV PARK IN ASHTON - TETONS IN THE DISTANCE

LOWER MESA FALLS

 We planned to be in Yellowstone by Wednesday but changed our minds so we could get wifi to see how our friend was progressing after his operation. 


We, by chance discovered on the map the Mesa Falls Scenic byway and I cannot describe it better than what google says:

At Upper Mesa Falls, a thunderous curtain of water – as tall as a 10-story building – pours over remnants of an ancient volcanic super-eruption that spewed ash over much of the current US. A mile south, Lower Mesa Falls repeats the performance; the river continually chiseling away at the solidified ash and lava. Some layers are more than a million years old. Today, Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are the last prominent waterfalls on the Snake River to resist human control.

They were spectacular!

LOWER MESA FALLS

LOWER MESA FALLS

LOWER MESA FALLS

UPPER MESA FALLS

                                                        UPPER MESA FALLS

SALMON RIVER SCENIC BYWAY TO PEAKS TO CRATERS SCENIC BYWAY

Left the beautiful Sawtooth mountains and drove these stunning byways in Idaho, we had forgotten just how gorgeous this state is, big empty spaces, no traffic - bliss!

Stopped in Challis and Roy got the new battery so we are all systems go now, shame I've just noticed a crack on my side window in the Dodge! Roy has a big crack on his side, time to sell!

We are now in Arco, famous for being the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power. Heading to my most favourite National Park for the last time - Yellowstone.

SALMON RIVER

END OF THE ROAD?

FIRST SNOW ON MOUNT BORAH

MOUNT BORAH

HIKING IN THE SAWTOOTHS

SAWTOOTH LAKE HIKE – 10 MILES

We had a super day doing this trail, the largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness, with Mt Regan at its south end. Temperature when we set off was 7oC but it reached 22oC and the sun continued to shine.

                                                Alpine Lake on the way to Sawtooth Lake

Alpine Lake

SAWTOOTH LAKE

ANIMALS APPEAR AS WE GET OUR LUNCH OUT!

ROY IS ALMOST INVISIBLE

 Our last day in The Sawtooths, we set off in the truck to the trailhead, truck engine turned over then stopped! My fab mechanic husband found out that one of the batteries on the Dodge had a faulty cell, so we need to buy anew battery, he used one of the trailer batteries as a temporary measure till we get to Challis tomorrow.

Dodge fixed we did a lovely ridge walk along the edge of Redfish Lake to Bench Lake – a pretty, isolated, peaceful place for lunch.

Bench Lake

Roy looking pensive

Redfish Lake

mmm Bacon!!

We saw the fabulous blood moon eclipse as it rose through the trees when it was at total eclipse then as it appears above I managed to get a photo as it was partial – quite magical!

Oh no another mouse! Roy took off a vent the last morning at Sawtooth as it was so cold (minus 3oC) we put heater on, it works better with the wooden vent cover off, as he was unscrewing it I jokingly said wonder if there is a mouse as we have a trap set in there....and of course we had one! I will not miss this part of life in a trailer!

SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, IDAHO

From the Wildlife Canyon we drove the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway to Stanley in the Sawtooths. We stopped at Kirkham Campground to sample the hot springs, they were some of the best we have seen. This area with its pristine river, rugged basalt mountains and fire scarred landscape is a joy for the soul!

                                                     KIRKHAM HOT SPRINGS

                                           SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS IN DISTANCE

We got one of the last campsites at Redfish Lake as they had closed all but one campground. A beautiful area around the lake with many superb hiking trails, which we discovered again we had hiked four of them the last time we were here in 2011. Had a short afternoon hike to Fish Hook Creek, fall has just arrived here – pretty!

Sawtooth Mountains

Stanley in the Sawtooths

Sockeye Campground at Redfish Lake in the Sawtooths

REDFISH LAKE