Big Springs

Irv and Aspen came for a visit last week.  Aspen was a nervous wreck the entire time she was here.  We had to get creative about our adventures since dogs aren't allowed on any of trails within Yellowstone.


Apparently I had never taken Irv to Big Springs in Island Park, Idaho.  It's run by the Forest Service so dogs are allowed.


Big Springs is the headwaters for the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.  The water is pristine with colorful moss which makes it especially beautiful.  The trout in the river are huge and people bring cat food to feed them which also draws the seagulls.


There's a two mile out and back interpretive trail that we took Aspen on.  


It's very well maintained with the exception of the decomposing skunk we came across on the trail.  Aspen was terrified of it.


We saw some beautiful waterfowl along the way.


Finally we reached the end of the trail.


Aspen wanted to go swimming so badly, but we decided we didn't want a wet dog in the car.


Aspen always likes to be the leader so at time she nearly pulled my arm out of the socket on the way back.  She does know how to walk nicely, but sometimes we let her have fun.


As we got back to the springs I thought someone's horse was in the water, but then I took a closer look. What a special surprise!


Not only was mama grazing in the water, her twins were on the shore.  This mama moose is quite gray.  We wondered how old she might be.


We just stood and watched them for the longest time.  Aspen never even noticed them which was good because she might have scared them off is she started barking.


We didn't want to disturb them so we didn't walk down to the platform right above the springs.  Big Springs if one of the largest natural springs in the world.  It pumps out about 120 million gallons of water daily and doesn't freeze in the winter.  Here's a link to my blog about it from 2021.

Afterward we headed over to Cafe Sabor in Island Park for a late lunch.  It was a little chilly but then let us sit outside on the patio with Aspen.  She behaved exceptionally well.


Comments

Marian said…
This place looks beautiful. You should of let Aspen swim. At least you didn't bang your head like I did when I saw a moose at camp.
June 28, 2023 at 10:17 PM
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