Snake River Gorge: On The Trail At The Evel Knievel Jump Site

 

Last week's news brough the notice of the death of an American original - Evel Knievel. All of his obituaries made mention of his failed attempt to jump the Snake River Gorge, considered his greatest stunt. The Snake River has cut America's deepest at more than 8,000 feet but, although it was plenty intimidating, the Snake River Gorge was not nearly that deep at the spot Knievel tried to jump the breach.

He built his ramp on private property and it can still be seen today in Twin Falls, Idaho east of where Route 93 crosses the Snake River. There is little vegetation in the canyon and limited formal trails but you can hike with your dog a little ways along the canyon rim from the Buzz Langdon Visitor Center at the Perrine Bridge.

There is still jumping going on here but it is BASE (parachuting from buildings, antennae, spans and earth) jumping from the arch bridge that was at one time the highest in the world. The Perrine Bridge, in fact, is the only bridge in America where BASE jumping is legal every day of the year so there are more jumps here than anywhere else in the world.

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