This Saturday, BYU-Idaho will take students on a trip to Craters of the Moon to experience its June wildflower bloom. Craters of the Moon is unique for its ancient volcanic flows and dark geological features.
Outdoor Activities Advisor Morris Christensen encourages students to take advantage of the outdoor opportunities in Idaho.
“It would take a lifetime to explore all of it, and even then you won’t see it all,” he said.
The Activities Department has never taken students to this wildflower hike before. Christensen says the Outdoor Recreation Department is constantly on the hunt for new experiences to offer students and says the idea for this excursion was originally a suggestion.
“I’m embarrassed to say sometimes that there are a number of things in this area—I’ve spent the majority of my life in this area—and there are some things I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve not done ... and so they just said, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about taking your students out and going to the Craters of the Moon to see the wildflowers?’ I was like, ‘I didn’t even know anything about it,’” he said.
Located halfway between Rexburg and Twin Falls, Craters of the Moon offers otherworldly scenic sights.
According to NPS.gov, Craters of the Moon exhibits spectacular floral displays each spring, with peak bloom for its spring wildflowers in early to mid-June.
“I’m hoping it’s going to be epic. I’m hoping—having read, I tried to read and tried to forecast of when the flowers are supposed to be the best. And so, I’m hoping that we hit it just right. And I’m just hoping it’s an awesome experience, and I think it will be, regardless if we hit it right at the right time with the full bloom or not,” Christensen said.
The trip goes from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and costs $20 per ticket.
You can get your ticket online here.