Cress Creek Nature Trail, Idaho

Originally posted 5-29-2011

After we left the Kelly Canyon Resort we drove over to Cress Creek and took the short hike there.  We've been there a number of times, and it's a nice outing for people of all ages.  Here are Emily and I at the parking area.

Here's a link that provides more info about Cress Creek Nature Trail: BLM Cress Creek Nature Trail

This nature trail was developed by the Conservation Corps, and they have done a fantastic job of developing and maintaining this site.

There is a nice parking area, restrooms, and trail.

The lower part of the trail is all paved.  This part of the trail is designed to be completely wheel chair accessible (it would a  good idea to have someone pushing though, because sometimes the grade can be  little steep.  We also saw lots of people up there with their young families, including small children in strollers.

This phots shows part of the paved lower trail.  There are benches and picnic tables located here and there, as well as signs describing local plants, animals, and geology of the area.

I'm not sure how far, maybe 1/2 mile into the trail it switches from paving to gravel.  This is also where you will see Cress Creek for the first time.  This creek is interesting because it is spring fed, and has a constant temperature year-round.  Also, you can always see water cress growing there, thus, Cress Creek.

This photo shows Emily poking around in the water in Cress Creek right by the train.  The green leafy plants in the water is the water cress.  Some people use water cress like lettuce to make salads or in sandwiches, etc.

The gravel trail is a loop, and there are scenic lookouts placed here and there along the trail.  The South Fork of the Snake River runs along the foot of the hillside where the trail is located.  We had a heavier than usual snow pack this year, and the snow melt is underway.  The Snake river has flooded lots of lowlands this year - more than usual.  The trees in the background along the river and covering the bottom lands are cottonwood trees.  In fact, this cottonwood forest is supposed to be one of the largest continuous cottonwood forests in the world.  Anyway, this photo is looking off to the north, and you can see the Menan Buttes in the distance.  One of those buttes (dormant volcanoes) is "R" Mountain, for those of you who may have attended Ricks College or BYU-Idaho., and they are only a few miles from Rexburg.

The photo below shows the view to the south, showing the South Fork of the Snake River, and looking to the south and east of Ririe, Idaho.

This is a good outing.  We hiked the whole trail, and though it's not long, it's a good outing.  We enjoyed it, and if you like poking around and learning about nature and SE Idaho, you may too.  Best wishes!