The Snake River Plain is the largest contiguous geologic feature in Idaho. The Plain forms a large crescent stretching from Yellowstone Park in the State’s northeast corner across the state through Idaho Falls, American Falls, Burley, Twin Falls, Mountain Home and into Oregon around Ontario, Oregon. The Plain was formed by volcanic activity that has left its mark throughout the area in the form of lava fields and volcanic cones. The geology of the Plain taken from the book states:

     Fifteen million years ago volcanic activity on a massive scale began once again in Idaho. This activity created the expansive Snake River Plain and is still continuing, with the last eruptions occurring only two thousand years ago. Geologists are still formulating the theoretical explanation of the forces that formed the Snake River Plain. Some hold to the theory that the plain was formed by a massive subsidence of the earth’s crust; there is evidence to support this theory. More recently, it has been theorized that the volcanic plain is the result of the North American Plate crossing over a “hot spot” in the mantle similar to the one that is credited with the formation of the Hawaiian Islands. According to this theory, the hot spot is now under the Yellowstone Plateau–where evidence of volcanic activity is certainly apparent. The age of the rocks in the Snake River Plain supports this theory; the youngest rocks are in the vicinity of Yellowstone, with the rocks getting progressively older to the west.

     Whatever the explanation behind its formation, the Snake River Plain is a veritable museum exhibit of volcanic activity, with both volcanic cones and large fissures (where the earth simply opened up and lava poured out) on display. Many of the lava flows are so fresh that vegetation has barely taken hold. The features found in this region include massive calderas, shield volcanoes, symmetrical cinder cones, spatter cones, lava flows, lava tubes, ice caves and numerous rift systems.

      The Great Rift runs from Craters of the Moon National Monument southeast and south for 50 miles and is up to 5 miles wide. An aerial view of the Great Rift reveals more about how the Snake River plain formed than words might ever express. From the air you see the rift as a huge crack which runs for miles. On either side of the crack, dark lava flows have poured out like blood from a cut and then hardened like crusty scabs.

 

Because of its massive size, the Snake River Plain is difficult to comprehend from any terrestrial perspective. Large features are swallowed up by the vastness. For example, when you are on top of a butte, like Wildhorse Butte, you will realize that you are significantly “up in the air” but when you look at the butte from a distance it only appears as a slight rise.

The many volcanic cones found in the Snake River Plain are not discussed in the book which focused on the state’s mountain ranges, but many of these cones are exceptional and have become goals for peakbaggers and explorers. Craters of the Moon National Monument is a great place to explore the most recent volcanic activity. Kimama Butte is a relatively easy to reach spot to get view the plain. Crater Butte harbors one of the plain’s most interesting and least known feature. Big Southern Butte is not only the highest of all the volcanic cones but it is also an other-worldly destination.

LINKS

For peakbagging opportunities use the following links:

Snake River Plain Peaks

Craters 10-Pack by Livingston Douglas

DANGEROUS COUNTRY

Traveling across this volcanic country is often difficult and fraught with dangers. The Snake River Plain and its peaks are quintessential desert terrain. Remember above all else that it is wild, remote, desert country. Be prepared for difficult and sometimes treacherous travel conditions including bad and/or impassable roads, heat, rattlesnakes and every other conceivable hazard found in desert terrain.

Take a 4WD vehicle with good all-terrain tires (6 or more ply sidewalls). Don’t depend on cell phone coverage. Buy BLM Surface Management maps to supplement topographic maps. Keep the gas tank full. Take extra fuel. Fuel up at every opportunity. Don’t expect anyone to find you if you get stuck or your battery goes dead. We took an emergency car battery as a backup. A shovel is a necessity and chains are essential in wet weather.

OTHER RESOURCES

Sheldon Blustein’s web site “Exploring Idaho’s High Desert” is a fantastic resource for getting out and about on the Snake River Plain. He has written about dozens of desert hikes and a number of his hikes will take you to the top of the plain’s buttes.

The book Snake: The Plain And Its People, edited by Todd Shallat, is the single-best resource on this fascinating area.