Different Trails

LAVA HOT SPRINGS (Day 1 - part 2)

We stopped at Montpelier, hoping to take in a museum. But not only was everything closed, the entire town looked completely abandoned!

The Bank of Montpelier was established in 1891, after the arrival of the railroad. In 1896, Butch Cassidy, William Ellsworth "Elzy" Lay and Bob Meeks robbed it of its gold, silver and currencty (reports vary from $5,000 to $16,500... probably because they also robbed the customers). They fled town on horseback and were chased by Sheriff Cruikshank on a bicycle. Needless to say, he didn't catch them. Bob Meeks was eventually imprisoned until 1912 for his part in the robbery.

The bank (note the hitching rack in front of it to tie up your horse!)

We could at least peek through the window.

The town is located in Bear Lake County.

Unfortunately the trail center was also not yet open for the season.

A covered wagon rests on a farm ... A town founded in 1864

We arrived at Lava Hot Springs and checked into the charming Lost Trail Motel, RV Park and Campground.

The view out the front

A view of the back property

We drove into the small downtown, parked and walked around. This spot was famous for several reasons ... its location on the old California and Oregon Trails, as well its hot springs (the heat comes from a magma pool connected with the active Yellowstone volcanic system). Lava flowed here as recently as 27,000 years ago.

Volcanic evidence

The Portneuf River

We grabbed some dinner at Riverwalk Thai Food. The restaurant was housed in an former gas station. While all the pumps had been removed and it was now just a parking lot, at one point during out meal a woman walked in asking about where to tank up!

As we walked down Main Street after our meal, we came up the Sunken Gardens. Interestingly sculpted volcanic rocks lined a path down into a small valley. Flowers were in bloom all over. The end of the garden overlooked some thermal pools.