The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-04-24
Craters of the
Moon in Idaho
BY c. A. Bottlofsen. Editor Arco
Advertiser

Idaho, like the other western
states, ranks high from a scenic
standpoint In its rivers and creeks
are found most Of the species of game
fish-especial1y trout-luring fisher
men from all parts of the United
States. Her forests abound with
wild game; her beautiful valleys,
mountain peaks and rugged canyons
offer much to those who wish to
break away from the daily grind and
get close to nature, for rest and
recreation. The native Idah0an! has
known for some past that the Gem
of the Mountains" excels In most OF
the scenic attractions, but 1t has only
been in recent months that the citi-
xens OF Idaho have begun to really
appreciate her wonders and are will
ing to tell the world about them.
Here I'm south-central Idaho there
Is a region which contains unusual
scenic attractions, SURPRISING all
other regions in North America. III
Is known as the "Craters of the
Moon" 1t Is an area of extinct vol
canoes, craters and lava now, ex-
tending over a territory about ten
miles wide and fifty miles long
Biologists tell us that the first
eruption In this region occurred
about a thousand years ago and that
tire most recent one took place about
. hundred years ago. But it is now
q tranquil area and contains great
expanse of dead seas of lava flow, re-
SEM bling very much the surface OF
the moon-hence it's name. 1t is
situated twenty-eight miles west of
Arco, Idaho, on the Idaho Central
highway, one of the main thorOfares
between Boise and Yellowstone
Park The eyes of Idaho are on this
particular spot at this time. on ac-
count Of the publicity it is receiving
in various newspapers and other
and because of the ef-
fort now being directed toward 'hav-
ing it set aside as either a national
park or national monument.
The region skirts the famous Big
Lost River Valley. Pioneer residents
have been known of the region for |
The past forty years and have re-
[erred to It as the lava beds" 1t
has only been during the past three
Tears that the Craters of the Moon
have been given due recognition.
r. w.. Limbert, well-known ex- :
,Iorer living at Boise. was first at 8
racted to the Craters of the Moon .
n search OF bear and other wild ami
nails. He had been told by old-time
rappers and freighters that the lava
,eds was a great unexplored terri !
DRY which, on account of 1t being so )
undoubtedly was the
Iome sf many species of wild ami {
nails a
In June. 1919, he made trip thru |,
he Craters of the Moon on foot. h
accompanied by a companion, he set Il
ut from Minidoka and traversed
he entire territory to Martin post g
flee and then on into Arco. He was n
mazed at the wonders he saw and \
took steps to have 1t v
xp1ored further. He wrote an n
rticle describing his trip to the
oise Statesman. The article was
Illustrated with pictures taken In the /,
lterior and created widespread In y.
crest in the region then known as y
lie Valley OF the Moon A year 6
ter he organized party of 20
biologists, government biologists Ar
nd other interested people from az
fferent parts of the state and the AZ
trty spent fourteen days in the in ia
Il lOl, 0PICu many VI thO
enic attractions, told such story in
the welrdness OF the lava peos co
at many people have been at )
acted to it. ~
The Craters of the Moon is not one 10
the beauty spots in Idaho when ~.
e beautiful valleys, canyons, and y.
ountain peaks are compared with fir
But the Craters of the Moon does or
esent a panorama Of which there 90
mo duplication in North America. in
is a wide expanse of craters and an
va that long ago smouldered and mr.
90, ana wnere nature one tihie was An
'eetnlng men, wnere IL appears tna' ar,
ages; gone by the earth battled the ca,
avens with volleys of white-hot
sks that rained back down in a st
Luge of death; where a stream of II,
,Iten lava spewed from the furnace Wa
the heart Of the world and poured Of
or the rims Of the craters, flowed .hs
the north and the south over the ist
sat bed of boulders and left ,la
in twisted forms and in g
,geh peaks OF lava. In short, 1t yo
q country with great dead vol all
tic mountains. curious formations the
lava strange co1Ors, cavernS, ho]
mingfy' hottomless frozen seas OF
ma, lids
Phe area is dotted with craters OF Mo
cticslFy every size and shape i'm wit
kuASe. Some are small at the ste
and cone-shaped, while others are cor
&c enough to surround building pal
feet square and hide it from dat
" were it three stories high. in
are are numbers OF them which is
year to have bottomless pits which
tafn openings thousands of feet nil
ow the surface of the earth mi
There are innumeraDle caves, no.
wing in size and shape. Many of (
m contain water practically thru tou
the summer. Others contain she
rhanging moss and stalactite, the TIL,
Is of which vary in color, being tor
dence that during the period OF sre
ption, great quantities Of miner ira
ed rock melted and seeking the owe
er levels. cooled, leaving walls OF Mo
utfful cOlOrs. One cave much triJ
,er than any of the others yet Dol
is very good specimen lit