Page 571 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

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Monument showcases one q Idaho Falls
of the most extraordinary * 58,300. ~ @ n 630 W
landscapes in the country. Broadway, (866) 365-6943.
The most accessible section ∑ visitidahofalls.com
can be explored via the
numerous short trails that Set along the banks of the Snake
lead through rippling, jagged, River, Idaho Falls is a charming
lava fields, strewn with cones and mainly agricultural city with
and craters. They range from a large Mormon population
15,000 to 2,000 years of age. (see p511). Dominated by the
The fields were formed by towering Mormon Idaho Falls
molten lava, which seeped Temple, the city has a vast “Green-
out from gaps in the earth’s belt” area where people can jog
crust over a period of 13,000 and in-line skate. Although the
years. Despite their forbidding, Idaho Falls, which lent their name
blackened appearance, the to the city, have now been
lava fields harbor more than dammed, they still provide a
50 species of mammals, 170 scenic setting to the parkland.
species of birds, and millions The Museum of Idaho show-
of resplendent wildflowers, cases the state’s history and
The dramatic landscape of Snake River which bloom in summer each hosts traveling exhibits. The Idaho
Gorge, Twin Falls year. Numerous caves and National Laboratory (INL), located
lava tubes also run beneath 50 miles (80 km) west of the city,
9 Twin Falls the surface. was established in 1949 to design,
The name “Craters of the build, and test nuclear reactors for
* 46,600. @ n Hwy 93, (208) 733-
3974. ∑ twinfallschamber.com Moon” was coined in the military and civilian purposes. The
1920s, when the monument world’s first reactor, the EBR-1, was
The falls for which the city was was established. The visitor built here in 1951 and is open for
named have been diminished center near the entrance viewing. On July 17, 1955, INL was
by dams and irrigation, but Twin recounts the park’s geological the site of the world’s first peaceful
Falls is still home to a splendid and natural history. Visitors can use of atomic power, when INL
waterfall. Called the “Niagara of also improve their Hawaiian engineers sent 2,000 kilowatts
the West,” the 212-ft- (65-m-) high lava vocabulary, learning the (2 megawatts) of electricity to
and 1,000-ft- (305-m-) wide scientific terms for sharp lava light up the nearby town of Arco.
Shoshone Falls is an impressive (a‘a), layered lava (kipukas),
sight, especially in spring when and smooth lava (pa‘hoe‘hoe). E Museum of Idaho
the water flows are at their peak. In the 1960s, astronauts from 200 N Eastern Ave. Tel (208) 522-1400.
Located 5 miles (8 km) north- the Apollo 14 space mission Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat (8pm Mon
east of the city, the falls are visited the monument to learn & Tue). Closed mid-Apr–early May &
framed by the deep Snake more about its volcanic geology, early Dec. & ∑ museumofidaho.org
River Gorge, famous for the ill- similar to that of the moon. Idaho National Laboratory
fated attempt by motorcycle Camping is also available in Hwy 20/26 2525 Fremont Ave.
daredevil Evel Knievel to leap the park during the summer, Tel (866) 495-7440. Open Memorial
across it in 1974. He survived, and the main loop road draws Day–Labor Day: 9am–5pm daily; for
but with many injuries. The city crowds of cross-country skiers non-US citizens tours by appointment
stretches along the level plains during winter. only. Closed Jul 4. 7 ∑ inl.gov
to the south of the gorge, and is
the center for potato-growing
farms and cattle ranches.

0 Craters of the
Moon National
Monument
US 20. Tel (208) 527-1335. Visitor
Center: Open 8am–4:30pm daily;
Memorial Day–Labor Day: 8am–6pm
daily. & (campground only).
∑ nps.gov/crmo
Sprawled across 83 sq miles
(215 sq km) in central Idaho, the
Craters of the Moon National Blackened volcanic cones, Craters of the Moon National Monument

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