Idaho Falls

Outdoors by Gregg Losinski You wouldn't know it by looking around now, but Idaho Falls has been the site of some pretty spectacular events over the eons. The buttes we see in the distance to the west of town are a small reminder of the violent geological activity that helped shape this area and that is still active deep under our feet. One constant reminder of this ongoing activity percolating far below us is the presence of geothermal activity all around us. When I first arrived in Idaho, I was blown away by all the natural hot springs that seemed to be everywhere. I hadn't yet processed things enough to be freaked out by the fact that not only were these springs possible because we were sitting on some of the Earth's thinnest crust, but to make 78  IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2016 IN HOT WATER things even worse we were perched atop one of the largest seething masses of molten magma close to the Earth's surface. What we're sitting on is basically an ancient pres- sure cooker overdue to blow. The main benefit to sitting on a nearly exposed hot spot is all the wonderful ther- mal features we have to enjoy. The big- gest and most spectacular is of course Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The wild thing is that the hotspot that sits under Yellowstone today once was under the Snake River Plain, the result of a slow march of massive eruptions that started in Oregon years ago. We are fortu- nate to have Craters of the Moon National Monument nearby to remind us of the past and if you look hard you might even find the small Milford or Wild Rose Hot Springs just outside the monument to enjoy and remind you of the power that is lying dormant. East of town there is the popular Heise Hot Springs. It has been developed so there is a little something for everyone. Kids can have fun on the giant waterslide while the older folks soak their bones in the hot pool. The smell of Heise is what a hot spring should smell like. Recently I had the chance to experience the grand baths of the spas in Budapest, Hungary. These hot springs were ornate, massive and rich in history, but they lacked something that I expect of a hot spring. Because the mineral composition of the water is different than here, they lacked that slightly sulfur, rotten egg smell. They were fun but left my olfac- tory senses unfulfilled. For the more adventurous there are the totally undeveloped Bear Creek Hot Springs near Palisades Reservoir. Getting to them requires enough physical exertion that you'll truly enjoy them when you finally find them. We also have the Warm River Springs, the headwaters of the Warm River. But let me warn you that warm is a relative term and while the water that comes gush- ing out of the side of the Pitchstone Plateau is inspiring, it is by no means warm. Recent research by geologists has indi- cated that in geological terms the hotspot under Yellowstone could blow at any time. They say, "It's not a matter of if, only a matter of when." And when it does go, it won't be pretty for us. In the meantime why worry, just lay back and enjoy the soothing waters. After all, in geologic terms, I think we have a little time to spare. IF GREGG LOSINSKI PHOTO

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