Mesa Falls known as Idaho’s own Niagara

Wes Morris MOR97019@BYUI.EDU Contributing Writer

Fall semester has begun in Rexburg and time is growing short for outdoor lovers to get out and enjoy southeastern Idaho while it is still a little sunny and thawed out.

Mesa Falls Recreational Area and other surrounding short hikes provide fun for even the wimpiest of outdoors lovers. Located only 45 miles away, it is close enough for a quick visit. Mesa Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to get to and see.

“It’s beautiful and extremely accessible,” said Ashleigh Wood, a senior from Rexburg. “I think there is a $3 fee but it’s totally worth it.”

Even the route to get out to the falls is worth the trip, Scott Wood said. Wood, a faculty member in the Recreational Leadership Department, extends his outdoor experience by traveling to Mesa Falls by bicycle when he goes. “It’s a perfect road for road biking,” Wood said.

The road parallels U.S. Highway 20 which students can travel along to Ashton, Idaho, where the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway begins on U.S. Highway 47. After passing through Ashton the road then peacefully descends toward Warm River.

For half a million years the river has been cutting through the landscape to form the canyon Mesa Falls is located in. Henry’s Fork and Warm River have both carved out niches where basalt cliffs and steep canyon walls create this unique setting for those who hike through.

These hikers venture through a scenic 3 1/2 mile trail starting from the Bear Gulch parking area on U.S. Highway 47. From here, they travel along the canyon rim to the Lower Mesa Falls Overlook.

This area, called the Grandview Overlook, is also accessible by car. Another two miles will get you to the Upper Mesa Falls Overlook. It has a boardwalk platform, which makes it accessible to virtually anyone wanting to see the falls. This area is also accessible by car and has a parking lot as well.

The Bear Gulch parking lot is a staging area for many hikers and mountain bikers to park and begin their adventures.

From the Bear Gulch trailhead another short trail is accessible which runs along an old railroad grade. The tunnel was created for riders to get to Yellowstone National Park by train. This short walk through the tunnel is over 100 yards and is an unusual feature of hikes in the area.

Matt Colvitz a sophomore from Sugar City, Idaho, put it into words when he said, “Mesa Falls is Idaho’s own little Niagara.”