Spring Valley Summit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spring Valley Summit |
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|---|---|
| Elevation | 4,242 ft (1,293 m) |
| Traversed by |  SH 55 |
| Location | Boise County, Idaho, US |
| Range | Boise Range, Rocky Mountains |
| Coordinates | 43°50′10″N 116°14′42″W / 43.836°N 116.245°W |
Spring Valley Summit is a mountain pass located in southwestern Idaho, United States. It sits high up at 4,242 feet (about 1,293 meters) above sea level. This summit is part of State Highway 55, which is also known as the Payette River Scenic Byway. It's a key spot on the road that connects different parts of Idaho.
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About Spring Valley Summit
Spring Valley Summit is a special place where the land rises and then falls again. This kind of spot is called a mountain pass. It helps people travel easily through mountains. The summit is 4,242 feet high, which is like being on top of a very tall building!
Where is Spring Valley Summit?
The summit is found in the southwestern part of Boise County. It's located south of a town called Horseshoe Bend. The summit is about 1,600 feet (490 meters) higher than Horseshoe Bend.
This important spot also marks a natural dividing line. On one side, water flows towards the Payette River. On the other side, water flows towards the Boise River. This is called a "drainage divide."
The Road's History
The road over Spring Valley Summit is part of Highway 55. For a long time, this road was very curvy and sometimes closed because of landslides. But things changed in 1991. A new, wider road with multiple lanes was finished. This made traveling much safer and easier.
Spring Valley Summit was one of the last major mountain roads in Idaho to be improved. Other important roads that were made better earlier include:
- White Bird Hill on U.S. 95 (improved in 1975)
- Lapwai Canyon on U.S. 95 (improved in 1960)
- Lewiston Hill on U.S. 95 (improved in 1977)
Cool Facts About the Area
- The northern side of Spring Valley Summit is also known as "Horseshoe Bend Hill."
- There's a cool rock formation nearby called "Bread Loaf Rock." It looks a bit like a loaf of bread! You can find it in the valley between the old and new roads.
