The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-04-24

he region say the river" was
caused by two distinct flows of lava.
One appears to have cooled rapidly,
billing up the lava in a mass of jag
ged and twisted formations. A short
line later, 1t is presumed, there ap-
cared another flow, which from all
Indications seems to have trickled
md flowed down, seeking the natural
drainage, cooling slowly. and when
cooled left the appearance of waves
II taffy. The river" varies in width
from about 20 feet at It's source to
about so feet, widening as 1t
lengthens. The source OF the white
hot lava was a volcano. which now
is only gaping cave.
Cinders cover the entire region. A
great mountain of them occupy a
place near the entrance of the park.
No crater appears in the immediate
vicinity. An enterprising prospector
has left mute evidence of his belief
MT the mountain contained ore, but
IS ''diggings" only convinced him
i,at for the fifty or more feet which |
ne eXcayated, nothing but cinders |
yere encountered. The cinder area
s almost devoid of vegetation ex-
rent for few scattered cedars and
flowers which have mastered the I'M
surroundings and have found
enough life-giving ingredients to sus-
lain their growth. Sputter cones
and volcanic bombs cover the ground
in this particular spot. The sputer
cones are all the way from 2 feet to
, feet III diameter, and an investi-
~atiOn shows a slight Openipg re-
'embling a cave, but which evidently
vas onlysa. gas chamber, as the small
J. ening conyinces one that the erup-
ion from these cones was not of
treat magnitude compared to the
-olcanoes. The volcanic bombs are
n every shape and size Imaginable.
md even the larger ones are sur
rising on account of being so light
IN investigation dfscloses that they
re honeycombed on the inside and
asily broken.
During the past year or two tour
SITS from all parts of the United
tates visited the Craters Of the
loon. The Chamber of Commerce
{ Arco has been active in bringing
he region to the attention of tour
sts, and in registration book
laced there for short period dur
,g the past summer. $50 men,
'omen and children, from practic
lily every state in the union, viewed
he many wonders which the region
Olds.
Congressman Addison T. Smith, of
1aho, who visited the Craters of the
loon last summer, was so impressed
18th its wonders that he has taken
.eps to have bill introduced in
ongress designating it national
ark. Maps are being prepared and
alta is being gathered with this end
/ view. All of southeastern Idaho
interested in the movement.
Autos can go within quarter OF
lile of the extinct craters. A good
rtomobile road now traverses the
orth end of the proposed park, and
fair road into the interior brings
,urists and visitors to within a
tort distance of the gaping craters.
he natural bridge, Is too far inter-
IT to be reached by auto, but there
e so many things to see at the en-
'ance of the park that none should
verlook visit to the Craters Of the
DON if it is possible to include the
lip in their next summers itinerary.
ont visit the Craters of the Moon
it'll the expectation of finding all
lie modern conveniences and SER
ces usually extended in the estab
she'd parks and sightseeing regions.
he Craters of the Moon has not yet
zen created a park or national
onument, but if you like to trough
!" and you enjoy exploring the
gifts away from the beaten paths,J
is unearthly region will hold out a
,ecial inducement to you. Arco is
e nearest town - twenty-eight
lies distant-but the roads are
BOD and one can leave here early
the morning, spend several hours
the park area, and return to town.
. camp on the outskirts, where run
ng water and shady hooks to the
slight of everyone can be found.