Ashton to Tetonia Trail

Back in the early 1900's, railroads were the means of moving people, goods, and harvested crops from place to place.  One such railroad was the one that ran between Ashton and Tetonia for 29 miles in eastern Idaho in the shadow of the Tetons.  Several years ago, the railroad tracks were removed but the railroad bed was left as it was.  Recently it was groomed into a trail for hikers, bicyclists, and snowboarders in the winter time.  One of the trail's charms are the trestles over various creeks which are now refurbished and ready for those wanting an overview of the creek meandering below.

After Mesa Falls we were on our way to experience a part of this trail which passes by the turnoff road going to the ranch where my mother was raised.  That was our first destination but we soon discovered that the trail did not follow the railroad bed at that turnoff as a private owner had not given permission.  You can see the exit from the railroad bed in the upper center of the map. This map was provided next to the sign and someone had marked "you are here."  Apparently, the wrong sign had been installed at this spot.  It was getting late in the day, so we took a very short hike from this sign south.

It was a hot day and a former railroad byway does not have many if any trees.

 Many of the former grain elevators are still in place.  It was later August so harvest was in full swing.

There were several grain elevators located along this 29.5 miles of railroad track.

My brother in law, Lowell, checking to see if it is still in use.

We walked on to the trestle, not tall at all, farther south of the grain elevator.

We saw two bicyclists taking this route.  Since we were much later in the day with dinner still to prepare, Glen reversed course on the hike and brought the car to the end.

My son Ryan and the rest of us agreed that a return trip would be great especially if we hiked to the trestle over Conant Creek which runs through the ranch we all remember with such fondness.