Mackay Reservoir And Lost River Range
by Robert Bales
Title
Mackay Reservoir And Lost River Range
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
The Lost River Range is a group of high mountains located in central Idaho, in the northwestern United States. It runs southeast for approximately 75 miles (121 km) from the Salmon River near the community of Challis to the Snake River Valley near Arco. To the west are the valleys of the Salmon and the Big Lost Rivers, while to the east are the Little Lost River and Pashimeroi Valleys.
The range starts at the east bank of the Salmon River, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It quickly rises to Grouse Creek Mountain (11,085 ft, 3378 m) and Dickey Peak (11,141 ft, 3395 m), and then descends to Double Springs Pass, location of one of just two roads to cross the range. Nearby is an interpretive site explaining the effects of the magnitude 6.9 Borah Peak Earthquake that hit the range on October 28, 1983. The Big Lost River Valley fell and the Lost River Range rose, leaving a fault scarp of up to 14 ft (4.3 m) along the base of the mountains.
The range then rises into its high central section, which includes many of the state's highest peaks. Borah Peak, the highest, climbs to 12,662 ft (3,859 m). Further south are Mount Idaho (12,065 ft, 3677 m), Leatherman Peak (12,228 ft, 3727 m), Mount Church (over 12,200 ft, 3720 m), Mount Breitenbach (12,140 ft, 3700 m), and Lost River Mountain (12,078 ft, 3681 m). To the east of this section of the range lie the remote canyons of the Upper Pashimeroi Valley, including scenic Merriam Lake.
The range then descends to Pass Creek Summit, the second road to cross its crest. It continues to King Mountain (10,612 ft, 3235 m), a favorite site for hang gliders. Finally it descends sharply to the Snake River Valley near the community of Arco, at an elevation of 5,300 ft (1,600 m).
The Lost River range, a fault block mountain range, has incredible vertical relief on the west side. A slightly less steep east side finds foothills, a small number of alpine lakes and several permanent streams.
The range is made up of folded Proterozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. The Lost River fault runs along the base of the mountains, and has been active over the last few million years. Huge alluvial fans radiate from the steep canyons and spread out over the valley.
Much of the northern end of the range, towards Challis, is covered with "Challis" volcanic rocks, making them very colorful.
The Mackay Reservoir offers plenty of opportunities for jet skiing, water skiing and sailing. This newly renovated site (Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site) offers a boat ramp which provides access to the Reservoir. There are other boat launches along the reservoir .
Uploaded
July 18th, 2014
Statistics
Viewed 1,731 Times - Last Visitor from Sandstone, MN on 04/21/2024 at 10:23 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (39)
Jan Mulherin
Congratulations!! This stunning image has been selected to be featured for the week in the “Art for Ever with You” Group Home Page. You are welcome to add a preview of this featured image to the group’s discussion post titled “2020 March: Stunning Group Featured Images and Thank-you’s” for a permanent display within the group, to share this achievement with others. Also feel free to post your feature on our group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296998814248643/ Thank you for your participation in the group! ~Jan (March 2, 2020)
Jeannie Rhode Photography
Robert, Spectacular capture of this Mackay Reservoir with Beautiful neutral tones and Beautiful blue reservoir. Great how the clouds blend in with the colors. L/F
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks for the LF and I was lucky to be their at the right time for the clouds.
Olahs Photography
WOW!!! What a magnificent view Robert!!! So Beautiful...love the coloration!!! F/L
Marjorie Tietjen
Absolutely stunning...great lighting. I think the clouds add a great deal to the overall effect. Pinterest/L/F
Gene Walls
Gorgeous vista view, Bob! From the beautifully defined clouds to the aqua-marine water of the reservoir and all of those craggy peaks in between ...this is perfection! L/F
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much Gene for the wonderful comments. I fell like it is an honor to have comments like that from a great photographer like you!!