The Snake River begins its thousand mile journey to the Columbia River in Yellowstone National Park. Volcanic activity dating back 17 million years ago created the canyon. About 15,000 years ago a natural dam on ancient Lake Bonneville, a glacial lake larger in size than lake Michigan, failed, releasing a torrent of water that reshaped much of the canyon.

From this vantage point you can see the multiple geologic layers that make up the Snake River canyon. Driving the byway to the next stop (Swan Falls Dam), you can see these layers up close as you descend into the canyon. The view south is of the Owyhee Mountains.