Hell’s Half Acre © 2010 Bo Mackison
You never know what you will see when you are on the road. Driving south on Interstate 15 in Idaho, we pulled off in a rest area to have lunch. I went for a walk around the area to stretch my legs and discovered two hiking paths behind the visitor center – two developed trails that stretch for several miles through the lava beds.
The lava trails pass through the Snake River Plain, a desert ecosystem, that has rough terrain and contorted scenery that have been created from repeated lava flows. These are not lava flows from the nearby Yellowstone explosions, but from less violent lava flows only 4100 years old.There are many native plants growing along the trail including juniper trees, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush and needle and thread grasses.
Utah Juniper on Lava Bed © 2010 Bo Mackison
The area has been designated a National Natural Landmark which affords it protection from development. The rest areas on both southbound and northbound I-15 have lava trails maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. They are located about 20 miles south of Idaho Falls; the exits are each marked “Blackfoot Rest Area”.
What a great find!
About Bo Mackison
What a find, indeed! Those are almost mystical moments, aren’t they? Great photos, Bo. Thanks for taking us along!
There’s just something about a big pile of lava, Debi. It’s a special place, for sure.
I love the curved lines in the first photograph… the arcs formed by the clouds, terrain and trees.
Thanks, Richard. This little area was ripe with photo ops.
Quite a rest stop. Beats anything I’ve seen in Indiana and Illinois.
that second shot is breathtaking to me!
Earth’s movement has always fascinated me. This is truly a wonderful find.
I think geology is fascinating, too, Preston.