Game Overview

Do you like being sneaky?

Here’s a game that will keep you entertained…

A group is on a park playground. The person that is “it” keeps their eyes closed. The three others try not to get tagged. If you aren’t it, you have to be sneaky like a ninja!

It’s fun to get close to the person that’s “it” and sneak past them. But watch out, if they hear you….

… you may be toast!

Where to Play

Rexburg’s Park Playgrounds:

• Porter Park
• Smith Park
• Elementary Schools

How to Play

1.)   4 or more people is best…

2.)   The person who’s “it” has to keep their eyes closed and try to tag the others

3.)   Those who aren’t “it” try to not get tagged

4.)   Once someone gets tagged, they become “it”

It’s more fun if you try to sneak by the person who is “it”! It brings out your inner ninja.

This is a great game for double dates, groups, and families. It’s active, social, and fun (if you are willing to get into it). You can play it outside during the winter or the summer.

Imagine trying to quickly fetch a ball faster than your competitor. Oh yeah… there’s one catch… you’re blind : )

You have to fetch the ball quickest, but you have to close your eyes. The only guidance you have is your partners verbal directions. So I hope you’re a good listener…

Where to Play

You can play “Blind Fetch” anywhere in Rexburg that is wide open. Ideal places include: city parks, baseball fields, and football fields.

How to Play

1.)   Blind Fetch requires at least 4 people to play.

2.)   Two people to a team (There can be more than 2 teams if desired)

3.)   The “Fetchers” (one from each team) FIRST close their eyes

4.)   THEN the ball or frisbee is thrown out a distance (30 yards or so) by any player that still has their eyes open.

5.)   Next, the count down from 5 to 0

6.)   At 0 the goal is to for each team to work together and fetch the ball first.

7.)   The blind person has to remain blind and should be led to the ball ONLY by verbal directions from his or her partner.

8.)   First team to fetch the ball and return to the starting point (always remaining blind) wins!

Overview

Directions

Overview

The Civil Defense caves are large tubes formed from lava that snake underground for thousands of feet. Because of the insulating qualities of Lava, the interior of caves are cold, even on the hottest days of the summer.

It’s really fun to explore. The caves vary from 50 feet high to areas that you need to crawl through.

Direction

The first right off North Salem Road (which is is about 16.8 miles this is also the North Rexburg exit, from the I-20 interstate at N 44°06.273′ W 111°48.285′.

The next turn, a left turn, is about 3.7 miles from the first turn off and is located at N 44°08.656′ W 111°45.803′.

Go one more mile or 4.7 miles from the main road and you will arrive at the cave. N 44°09.326′ W 111°46.551′.

You will need…

• A jacket
• good footwear
• flashlights or head lamps (with extra batteries)
• To be mindful and remember the path you take in so you can backtrack and get out (which isn’t hard, but it’s worth pointing out…)

You may want…

• A snow hat or beanie
• Gloves – the rock can be rough
• Glow sticks (for fun and for back up)
• A camera

Bridge jumping right by monkey rock!

Overview

Have you have ever wanted to play in a waterfall? If so,  Monkey rock is the place. It’s not a large cascade, but this little lagoon style location is perfect for a summer swim and hang out. You can swim around in the lagoon or up explore up behind the waterfall. In the summer the water temperature is just right. Just get in and get used to it!

When you go, make sure you walk under and behind the falls. It’s a rush to have that much water rush over you… Depending on the water level the falls might be bigger or smaller.

CAUTION: Be careful around the little concrete “water slide” up top where the canal feed the waterfall. At the bottom of the slide is little rapid or “hydraulic” which is unassuming, but is surprisingly powerful. It’s been known to give quite a few people a scare. What it will do is sweep our feet out from underneath you and roll you.

SAFETY TIPS:

1. Don’t be scared of it, just take a second to understand it and you’ll have nothing to fear… And don’t be the idiot that thinks he’s stronger than it.
2. Know your ability level
3. Always have some else up there with you, and
4. Have a good time!

If you get tired of playing around the falls, you can walk down the street and jump off of the bridge. It’s high enough to give a thrill, but not so high that it is very dangerous. Be careful and wise at both spots and you will have an enjoyable time.

Directions

You Will Need…

• Sandals / water shoes: The lagoon floor is pretty rocky
• Towels
• Sunscreen

You May Want…

• Snorkel mask
• Camera
• Lunch: It’s a great place to picnic…
• Nun-chucks,  naturally… right?

Overview

Not to be mistaken with the Civil Defense Caves (which are near by) , the Ice Caves are about 45 minutes outside of Rexburg. The Ice Caves (also known as the Lava Tube Caves) were originally formed as lava tubes. Over the years they have maintained fairly cold temperatures and as moisture and water seeped in it froze. The ice now remains frozen year round and makes for a wonderful adventure. There are two different sets of caves, fairly close to each other in the middle of the desert.  Both sets of caves are a few hundred yards deep and require good footwear, warm clothes and a flashlight to navigate.

Directions

The turn off is just about 25 miles past walmart or 14.5 miles past the sand dunes RV camp place. You will drive over a metal cattle guard. (A big grated metal thing that crosses the road.)

Immediately after the third cattle guard there is a dirt road turnoff to the right. This turnoff goes diagonally northeast. There is another turn-off that connects with the first one about 200 yards down the road that is pretty much parallel to the main road (There is a 3rd dirt road past the first two….it doesn’t lead to the ice caves).

Continue on the dirt road (for which a not going faster than 10-15 mph for about 30 minutes. You will feel like you have probably passed the caves, but just when you are about to turn around the road forks completely.

Take the right fork, but drive slowly… you could very well drive right into the gigantic hole in the ground. Climb down into the hole and you should see the cave entrance.
Special thanks to Alyson for these directions. (www.rexburgic.com)

You will need…

• Flashlight
• Good hiking/tennis shoes
• Warm clothes: Sweatshirt, long underwear, jacket, gloves, beanie/snow cap.

You may want…

• Glow Sticks: It’s fun to brake them open and sprinkle the glow goo around and play “hide and go seek”. Please remember to bring a bag and pack your trash out.
• Energy Food: It’s a fun place to have a snack… and you’ll probably need one.
• Camera: (Hint- for need photos, increase your shutter speed to 1 second or more. Then email SpiffyList your photos! We’ll post ‘em.)

Overview

R Mountain is a popular hike located about 20 minutes from Downtown Rexburg. Its actual name is The Menan Buttes, but because of the obvious giant “R” painted on its side it is popularly known as “R Mountain”.

Formed by lava, this dormant volcano makes for a great morning, afternoon or even night time hike. Climbing to the crater takes about.5-1.5 hrs depending on your speed and the trail you take. The view from the top is amazing! You can see the Snake River, the City of Rexburg, the Sand Dunes and the Tetons all at the same time.

The best and easiest trail is the front side. (The side without the “R”) To get to it you turn right at the four way stop right before the mountain. (You’ll see a sign advising you to turn left to get the “Mountain Butte”) Continue down that path until you get to the Entrance. (You can’t miss it)

Directions

You will need…

• Good shoes – The trail is rocky with lots of weeds and bushes
• Camera – The View is something you’ll want to remember and show others
• Flashlight / Head Lamp – If your going at night (or late evening)
• Snack – The hike can make you hungry
• Bug Repellent – There are mosquitoes
• Be aware of snakes - There are rattlers out during certain times of the year. But they’ll warn ya!

Overview

A hidden forest beauty, Mesa Falls is only an hour away from Rexburg. Located just outside of Ashton, these thundering beauties are a must see for anyone interested in the outdoors.

The Upper and Lower Falls have trails that take you to within 50 ft of the falling water. The Upper Falls are over 110 ft tall where as the Lower Falls cascades at about 85 feet. The easiest way to get there is to take the Main road all the way through Ashton and continue on it for 15 to 20 minutes until you see the signs for Mesa Falls.

(Trail Head Info?)

Directions

Don’t Forget…

• Bug repellent as there are tons of mosquitoes

• Good shoes (if you plan on hiking into see the falls close up)… we recommend it!

• Binoculars to get a better view from the road

• Camera and extra batteries

Further Resources

byways.org

visitidaho.org

]]> http://www.spiffylist.com/rexburg-mesa-falls/feed/ 0 http://www.spiffylist.com/badger-creek-bouldering/ http://www.spiffylist.com/badger-creek-bouldering/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:31:03 +0000 Joel http://spiffylist.bryankwilliams.com/?p=19 Overview

The Badger Creek Boulders are a close option all skill levels of bouldering. I hadn’t heard of the area, but was pleasantly surprised with the amount of bouldering routes there. The texture of the rock is phenomenal and there is a good variety of types of bouldering problems including:

• Slab
• Overhanging
• Vertical, and
• Crack

In case you don’t know…

Bouldering is rock climbing on short routes (5-15 feet high) where no ropes are used. It’s great because you’re free! No ropes. No gear.

Just you, your shoes, some chalk and the rock…

And (if you’re smart) a spotter!

These videos will just might get you hooked…

Directions

Distance: (from Rexburg, Idaho)  48 miles
Travel Time: (from Rexburg, Idaho)  About 30-40 minutes

1. Go East on HWY 33 (towards Driggs) Pass Green Canyon (link)
2. Before you enter Tetonia you’ll see a gravel road on the left. It’ cuts back… (before the road you’ll see a sign on the right that says something like “BYU-I Badger Creek”
3. Get on this gravel road and don’t turn stay straight It will stay straight for a 2 or 3 miles
4. Finally, you’ll come to some trees, the actually Badger Creek Bridge (very small) and a “T” in the road. Go Right at the “T”.
5. Go down a mile or two and look up to at the hill to your left. You’ll see the boulders. If you haven’t keep driving and keep your eyes on the hill on the left side as you drive. You’ll see them.
6. Park off the road so there is no accidents
7. The trail head can be found at the far end of the boulders (where another dirt road is on the left)

Costs:

Money:

• FREE (unless you rent chalk and shoes for around $10)
• Gas – it’s about 40 miles

Time:

• 40 minutes out, 40 minutes back
• 1hr 30 min climbing
• TOTAL = 3 hrs.

You Will Need…

• Climbing shoes (if you have them great… if not you can still have fun
• Chalk Bag (helps you grip the rock)
• Friends to enjoy and for spotting

You May Want…

• A bouldering pad (or “crash pad”) I’ve never brought one, but I’ve also never pushed myself as hard as I’d like to.
• Shoe Mat (for wiping your shoes before getting on a problem or route)
• Camera

Further Resources

Community members and BYU-I Students can rent (or buy) the needed gear (shoes and chalk bag) at the BYU-I Outdoor Recreation Cener (ORC)

ORC Information:

• Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am – 6 pm, Sat 8 am – 5pm
• Location: Under BYU-I Statium
• Phone: (208) 496 – 2100  (phone reservations from 1-3 pm daily)

Pics

Overview

There is tons of great biking in Jackson. Teton Village is just one area. I did some biking here with my brother and we had a blast!. The trails are at the bottom of the mountain and are mainly cross country single track. Some of them are really clean and buffed out; others have technical sections with rocks and tree roots.

You can get a map of the trails from the lodge… it’s almost impossible to get lost. You have the option of biking up or paying $10 and riding the chair lift. The chair lift only gains about 300 feet in elevation, so if you are in decent shape save yourself the 10 buck, because once your are up there… you are up there (because it’s cross country single track).

This is a great area for those who want a fun ride that isn’t really overly intense. It will still work you, but it’s not so advanced that it’s “impossible”. If you have any questions there is staff all around to help.

Make sure you watch my brother wipe out in the video! You can tell he had no clue it was coming! LOL!

- joel

Directions

Traveling Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Distance: 96.5 miles

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Rexburg+Idaho&daddr=6895+N.+Bowman+Rd.+Teton+Village+,+WY+83012&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=43.820657,-110.775146&sspn=0.992808,0.933838&ie=UTF8&z=8

You May Want To Bring…

A group, but it can be fun to hit it hard with one person.

Don’t Forget…

Helmet, sunblock, water, energy food, duct-tape, and camera : )

Further Resources

This is a great book! It explains in detail other great areas to bike in Jackson and is “thee book” on the subject Jackson mt. biking. Check it out…