Big Mountains and Deep Canyons: Central Idaho's Yellowstone Connection In-Person
From the soaring heights of Idaho's tallest peak, Mt. Borah, to the dissected depths of Salmon River canyons, central Idaho features varied and scenic topography on an exaggerated scale. Until recently the big picture was fuzzy as to why. Research in the Pioneer Mountains east of Ketchum, and in the Salmon and Clearwater River drainages of central and northern Idaho, has pieced together the story. Remarkably, the rugged extremes found in central Idaho (which includes the Wood River area) are tied to the 15-million-year evolution of Yellowstone.
Dr. Paul K. Link has studied the geology of this compelling region from Idaho State University for more than 40 years and played a vital role in unraveling its story. Join Paul for a day-long event designed for people of all levels of interest.
The program starts off with a morning lecture at The Community Library during which Paul will provide an introduction to Idaho’s mountains and canyon-cutting rivers, and discuss the fascinating connection between Yellowstone and the dramatic landscapes of central Idaho. A field trip over Trail Creek Summit continues the conversation while experiencing the heightened grandeur of the Pioneer Mountains and the Lost River Range, home to 12,662-foot Mt. Borah.
This event is limited to 25 participants. Pre-registration is required. A one-hour lecture begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Lecture Hall, then the group will enjoy lunch on the library’s terrace before heading into the field. Bring your own lunch, snacks, water, and a car (carpooling for the afternoon is encouraged!), and lots of curiosity. The group will return to Ketchum no later than 5 p.m.
All attendees are responsible for their own safety during the field portion of this class. The field portion involves riding in a car with yourself or others, stopping at points of interest, and some light walking. An approximately 2.6-mile portion of Trail Creek Road between Sun Valley and Trail Creek Summit is a steep-sided, one-lane dirt road, with turnouts.
Paul’s presentation will be recorded for later viewing through the Library’s Program Archive.
- Date:
- Friday, August 30, 2024
- Time:
- 10:30am - 5:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Mountain Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- John A. and Carole O. Moran Lecture Hall
- Campus:
- The Community Library
- Audience:
- Adults
- Categories:
- Lectures & Conversations
Dr. Paul K. Link is Professor Emeritus in the Idaho State University Department of Geosciences. His academic career spans more than four decades of study, research, publishing, and teaching. He holds a B.S. from Yale University, and graduate degrees from the University of Adelaide, South Australia, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was ISU Geology Department Chair from 1986 to 1992. Before joining ISU, he was a Mountaineering Instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander, Wyoming. In the 1980s he and some 15 master’s students conducted U.S. Geological Survey field geology projects in the Ketchum area. For 15 years he directed the ISU Geology Field Camp at the Lost River Field Station north of Mackay. He supervised over 100 master’s degree students. Paul is co-author of the 2012 Idaho State Geologic Map, the book Rocks, Rails, and Trails, and the 2021 second edition of the Roadside Geology of Idaho.
