Shoshone Falls is coming to life! Spring is the ideal time to tour Magic Valley waterfalls

Shoshone Falls last weekend as the flows were beginning to come up. (Courtesy Southern Idaho Tourism) 

Looking downstream of Shoshone Falls into the yawning Snake River Canyon. 

Hi all,

Thanks to the bountiful precipitation we received in February, the mountain snowpack situation in

Idaho is totally positive, if not a bit over the top in places (are we tired of back-breaking snow-shoveling yet???). All of the snow ensures that we're going to have a big river runoff season this spring in every river basin statewide!

The Snake River is no exception, with 115-125 percent of normal snowpack at the moment in the Upper Snake region. The Bureau of Reclamation is beginning to release flood-control flows below Milner Dam in the mid-Snake region, bringing mighty Shoshone Falls to life.

Today, about 6,000 cfs were passing over the 212-foot falls, the Niagara of the West. That makes for a breath-taking view!

Road trip anyone? Shoshone Falls Park is open for daytime viewing. I'd recommend going to see the impressive falls as a fun day trip or overnight, weekend trip. Maybe hit a hot springs along the way, go to the Twin Falls Sandwich Company for lunch, or select from this Trip Advisor menu of top local lunch and dinner spots.

Check out this drone video of Shoshone Falls from Reeder Flying Service shot in February 2017 when all of the low-elevation snow came off and flooded the region. This is why you should go!



Remember that there are a number of other waterfalls to experience while you're in the neighborhood. See a local guide for details.

Did you like seeing all the bald eagles roosting in a tree near Wendell this week? Here's how to get there ... Read this post: https://visitsouthidaho.com/winter-weather-draws-big-numbers-bald-eagles-waterfowl-wendell-hagerman-area-go-see/

If this weekend doesn't work for Shoshone Falls, know that flood-control flows will be coming over the falls for the next couple of months through May, according to the BOR. You can see what they're releasing online at any time (check cfs by Milner Dam). I'd guess that it's going to run strong for the next 8-10 weeks, given the deep snowpack. I'm just guessing ... no guarantees.

Upper Snake teacup shows reservoir contents and outflow (click to enlarge) 

On your way to the Magic Valley, I recommend taking the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway from Hagerman to Buhl and Twin Falls. You can go fishing in that area by Hagerman WMA, stop at one of three hot springs, or visit the Minnie Miller springs and other units of Thousand Springs State Park.  

Also, the Middle Snake is known for kick-ass whitewater boating and some sweet flatwater paddling as well. Contact Idaho Guide Service if you'd like to run the Class 4+ Murtaugh reach of the Snake River during the spring flows. Think big rapids, big roaring whitewater. After the river flows calm down, you can paddle from Centennial Park in Twin Falls up to the brink of Shoshone Falls in the deep Snake River canyon while maybe seeing a base-jumper parachute overhead while passing underneath the giant Perrine Bridge.

Stop in the Visitor Center in Twin Falls on the south side of the Perrine Bridge for information about what to see and do in the region. It's a beautiful building next to the canyon.
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Notes: There's a Scoop the Poop event on Saturday, sponsored by the City of Boise. Click on the event page for more information. Dog owners are encouraged to go out and scoop up poop next to our foothills trails from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Please do your part!

-SS

Participate in BLM clean up at the Snake River Birds of Prey Area Saturday

Spent shotgun shells left out in the birds of prey area ... (Courtesy BLM) 

People using our public lands as a dumping ground (Courtesy BLM) 

(Courtesy BLM) 

Hi all,

The weather forecast looks fantastic for this weekend -- temperatures nudging 70 degrees for three days in a row! Should be great weather to do just about anything outdoors ...

This week, I'm recommending several events on Saturday, and then there's a few tidbits below.

1. The BLM needs volunteers for what they hope to be a record-breaking volunteer clean up event at the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Volunteers should gather at the Boise Wild Horse Corrals, 12466 Pleasant Valley Road, south of the Boise Airport. Volunteers will be broken into groups and directed to locations within the NCA, where they can expect to encounter trash that includes everything from simple litter to discarded appliances. Sign up at goo.gl/forms/OhR5l1F4bFpTxIdG2 or call 208-384-3342.

How about adding a whitewater tripper canoe to your fleet? 

2. Tis the season of used whitewater boating equipment sales! The largest one, sponsored by the Idaho Whitewater Association, will be held Saturday, April 28, at Cascade River Gear in Garden City, 604 E. 45th St. The sale has moved indoors! The whitewater sale is a perfect time to buy a used whitewater raft, canoe, SUP, life jacket, wet suits, dry suits, touring kayaks at affordable prices.  

Pick up a worthy whitewater raft, kayak, inflatable kayak and SUP and you're dialed in for a fun-filled boating season on Idaho rivers for the whole family. 

A few details: Friday check in and register gear from 3-9 p.m. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. IWA retains 15% of sales for items less than $1,000, and 10 percent for items over that. 

Another outdoor equipment sale will be held at Idaho River Sports this Saturday called the "Woolly Buggers Trout Unlimited Gear Sale." The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clean out your garage and sell your fishing gear, fishing cats, camping equipment, etc. See IRS link for more information. 

3. Support the Autism Society of the Treasure Valley Run/Walk on Saturday. I'll be there with my son, Drew, and he's participating as part of the STEP Super Heroes. He's going to be Thor from the Avengers. The event is a 5K run and 2-mile family stroll. This is a great cause to support! 

4. I've talked about visiting Shoshone Falls recently in the blog, and I wanted to share a feature story I wrote about that for the Statesman Outdoors section. "Experience the thundering power of Shoshone Falls." I also detailed a waterfall tour of other worthy destinations in the Magic Valley area in that story. 

Have fun! 
- SS 

Go visit Shoshone Falls - the Niagara of the West! Plus, spring hike at Centennial Park

Shoshone Falls in 2011, with big flows coming over the 212-foot drop. 

Hi all, 

With snowpack in the Upper Snake River region ranging from 130% to 160% of normal -- that's really big folks -- the Bureau of Reclamation has been releasing flood-control water from all of its Upper Snake reservoirs, bringing the Snake River flows to 10,000 cfs in the Middle Snake region, as of today. That means 212-foot Shoshone Falls is gushing with life in a big, thundering way!

The City of Twin Falls just opened Shoshone Falls Park yesterday, and they're open for the season, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. My recommendation is to go see the impressive falls for a fun day or weekend trip. Maybe hit a hot springs along the way, go to the Twin Falls Sandwich Company for lunch, or select from this Trip Advisor menu of top local dinner spots. If you'd like to RV camp or grab a hotel room, here's a listing of RV options and hotels.

Sharing this drone video of Shoshone Falls from Reeder Flying Service, shot in February when all of the low-elevation snow came off and flooded the region:



I'm recommending this trip this weekend because the snow level is expected to go over 7,000 feet on Thursday and stay there for several days, so that will make the skiing iffy if that snow-level holds true. Keep your eyes on the weather because things could change ... no matter what, there will be a ton of snow at high elevations. Watch for avalanche danger as well.

If this weekend doesn't work for Shoshone Falls, know that the flows will continue to be coming over the falls for at least the next three weeks, according to the BOR. I'd guess that it's going to run strong for the next 8-10 weeks, given the deep snowpack. I'm just guessing ... no guarantees. But it will be interesting to see how high the flow gets ... if it gets into the 20,000 range, that will be epic ... not only for viewing Shoshone Falls but also for running the Class 4 Murtaugh reach of the Snake River. Idaho Guide Service offers guided trips in that area, and I can tell you, it's a kick-ass float trip for the adventurous! Big rapids, big roaring whitewater.

Closer to home, I'd also recommend an early-spring outing at Celebration Park, south of Nampa. I liked former Idaho Statesman outdoors writer Pete Zimowsky's blog post about five things to do in the canyon via Celebration Park. The 4-mile hike to Halverson Lake is detailed in my book, Boise Trail Guide: 90 Hiking & Running Routes Close to Home. Centennial Park is a great place for kids and families. There are lots of petrglyphs on the big boulders in the parking lot, providing a teachable moment.

Did you see the article about summer plans for Bogus Basin in the Statesman? General Manager Brad Wilson has a great vision for the future of Bogus, in my opinion. Hats off to the whole board of directors as well! They are going to reinvent Bogus as a four-season resort, and snowmaking is part of the mix.

BTW, if you head out for a Greenbelt hike this weekend, remember that many places along the pathway are getting flooded, so use caution! The Boise River is ripping fast and strong right now.

- SS

Two paddling adventures suitable for Idaho bucket list - 1000 Springs & Shoshone Falls

Photos courtesy VisitIdaho 

Taking off from Centennial Park toward Shoshone Falls 

Hi all,

I've been exploring the Southern Idaho region more than usual this year, working on Southern Idaho Tourism for Carew & Co., a really great Boise ad agency. I've been posting items on social media, blogging and shooting photos and video for content posted on VisitSouthIdaho.com.

Along the way, I've been touting two paddling trips in the region that are really world-class adventures because of the scenery and surroundings:

1. Paddling from Centennial Park in Twin Falls to the base of Shoshone Falls, a 4-mile trip one way.
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2. Doing a loop around Ritter Island below the rushing water of Thousand Springs, pouring from the Snake River cliffs above. 2-mile loop

Now that we're in mid-summer, it's prime time for paddling adventures! In terms of crafts, these trips are best suited for Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP), sit-on-top hard-shell kayaks, canoes or inflatable kayaks. In fact, these trips are perfect for them!

You can take your own gear down there, or rent stuff in Hagerman at Hagerman Valley Sports & Merc (for Thousand Springs tour), or at Centennial Park in Twin Falls for the trip to Shoshone Falls. Idaho Guide Service provides guided tours to Shoshone Falls with lunch. The cool thing about renting watercraft from AWOL Adventure Sports at Centennial Park is it's very handy. You just show up, rent your gear and go! Prices are very reasonable - $20 to $45, depending on craft.

They'll tell you how to portage Pillar Falls (two miles toward the falls) and what to expect on your journey to Shoshone Falls. Most of the time, you'll encounter a west wind on the way back. Just remember that for travel time. Bring plenty of food and drink to enjoy the day.

The big highlight of the trip is to hang out below Shoshone Falls and take in the roaring water from river level, hearing the sound of nature pounding on the water and mist rising into the sun's rays, sometimes forming rainbows.

Here's an informative blog post about the paddling trip to Shoshone Falls, titled "Hiking on Water to Shoshone Falls" by Justin Fricke, published by VisitIdaho. And here's a May post that I penned about Paddling the Snake.

For the Ritter Island Tour, travel to Thousand Springs State Park, east of Hagerman, on the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway. There are detailed maps on the state park web site. You can tour the Minnie Miller dairy barn while you're there, and hike around the island, if you wish (2 mile trail). Launch your boat on the Thousand Springs channel near the entrance to the park, and then paddle out to the Snake River, go downstream to the bottom toe of the island, and paddle back around the Thousand Springs channel. Do as many loops as you want!

Paddling in channel below Thousand Springs 

While you're in the neighborhood, I recommend the Twin Falls Sandwich Company in downtown Twin Falls for lunch, Elevation 486 for a top-shelf dinner with a stupendous view of the Snake River canyon, and the Snake River Grill in Hagerman for a delicious fish dinner or your choosing.

For lodging, you can find an RV campground in the area or book at hotel room.

Have a great time!
- SS

Go see the mighty Snake bursting with life in Twin Falls

Top, Let's Make a Deal rapid
Next, flip in last rapid on the Murtaugh
Pair of Dice, right-side run
Shoshone Falls
(Photos coutesy Josh McDannel and Ted Day)

Hey all,

Every once in a great while, a perfect storm of weather, snowpack and water coalesce to bring the Middle Snake River to life for a few precious days -- perhaps even weeks in the springtime. Right now, as we speak, the gates of Milner Dam are open and the Middle Snake is running at more than 10,000 cubic feet per second and rising. The mighty Snake is running bank-full with lots of volume, and it's expected to do so for the next 10 days.

This means two things for recreationists:

1. Shoshone Falls is roaring, shall we say, thundering, and very much alive. Every Idahoan has to see the 212-foot Shoshone Falls, often called the Niagara of the West, flowing in all of its glory. Take the family and get pictures of the kids. Go for a day trip and bring a picnic. There's a park next to the falls.

2. Run the Murtaugh section of the Middle Snake, an awe-inspiring challenge for the experienced Class 4+ boater. Whitewater boaters who run the South Fork Payette Canyon, Hells Canyon, the Lochsa, the Middle Fork at high water, or the Selway should be capable of running the Murtaugh. The Murtaugh has some big drops like Pair of Dice, Let's Make a Deal and more.

If you're not an experienced boater, and your buddy can't take you, book a trip with Idaho Guide Service in Twin Falls. The outfitter, Olin Gardner, has been running the Middle Snake since the early '80s. He's the only outfitter permitted to run the Middle Snake, so there you have it.

Here are directions to the put-in and takeout if you're going to kayak or raft the Murtaugh on your own.

- SS