アイダホ郡の天然記念物・トップ5

Camas Prairie is not just grassland – it is an historic place. Tolo Lake, just south of the prairie, was a gathering place and in 1877 Nimiipuu bands gathered here after they were ordered to leave their home in the Wallows in Oregon. It is the origin of the Nez Perce flight of 1877. The Camas Prairie is named after the perennial camassia or camas. The bulbs of this blue-flowering plant were a crucial food source for the Native Americans.

Around 15 million years ago, the majestic Salmon River made its way through Miocene lava beds a carved a gorge. Later in time, the area rose, mountain developed and the river carved an even deeper canyon into the hard rock below and created Salmon River Canyon. A stunning place to take a break.

According to the nimíipuu creation story, Iceye’ye (Coyote) killed a large monster along the Clearwater River near present day Kamiah, Idaho, thus creating different tribes in the region, including the nimíipuu. A rock formation in the area is said to represent the heart of the monster described in the legend. It is sacred to the nimíipuu people.

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, being one of the most accessible hot springs in the area, is also the most popular. Three distinct pools are fed by separate sources. The largest and nearest to the trail may be submerged by the river during the spring ice melt. Follow cairns to find the smaller pools further from the river bed.

This section of river is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and is a major point for salmon migration. Following the trail to the Elevator Mountain Trail junction, hikers are afforded views of nearby summits such as Gardiner Peak and Elevator Mountain.