Balanced Rock Park and Balanced Rock

4:32 p.m.
It was 20 miles from the Trout Farm to Balanced Rock.

From the Trout Farm we drove back south to the town of Buhl, then south toward the town of Castleford. West of there the rolling prairie lands are cut away by the Salmon Falls Creek and an area of interesting basalt formations is exposed. Right where the highway crosses the creek, to the east of the road, is a narrow flood plain that has been converted into a park. There are picnic facilities, covered tables, rest rooms, and apparently camping is allowed, since there were quite a few campers. There were also a good number of people fishing in the slow moving creek. It is very reedy and weedy along the stream, and looked to be buggy and humid.

Outside of the park, along the highway, are the basalt spires. It's a small area, but well worth the drive to view. On the western edge of the outcrops there is the namesake Balanced Rock. There is a short trail that leads up to the area behind the rock, perhaps 100 yards, as well as a parking area and a covered table below. The area is far away from the bustle of the towns, and other than an occasional passing car or truck, or an overhead jet, the spot is very quiet. Anne took a quick hike up to the balanced rock, while I watched from below. My left knee was stiff and I was too lazy to put on my boots and climb that hill. But Anne said that it looked like you could climb around back in there and explore the entire basalt area.

We got back to Twin Falls before 6:00 p.m. The entire day's worth of driving covered 163 miles.