How Deep is the Snake River Canyon?
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June 22, 2014
When Evel Knievel came to Twin Falls in the summer of 1974 to prepare for the event of the century, his jump across the Snake River Canyon, the spin began! He claimed the canyon was over 600 feet deep and 4,781 feet wide. Local engineers put the width at about 1,600 feet, substantially less than the almost mile-wide gap the showman claimed.
So, how deep is the Snake River Canyon?
If you’d like to take a closer look, here’s a hint and my recommendation: The patio of Elevation 486 http://elevation486.com along the rim on the edge of Twin Falls. It is a perfect place to enjoy the view, sip a drink, have lunch or dinner. Then you can take a walk along the canyon trail and catch a peek at Evel’s launch ramp, still standing after 40 years.
I’ll be doing my own launch (book, that is), a novella and short story collection, Evel Knievel Jumps the Snake River Canyon . . . and other Stories Close to Home, at Elevation 486 on Thursday, June 26, from 4 to 7 pm. In celebration, I’m giving away a $50 gift card for the restaurant. To enter your name in the drawing, “like” my author Facebook page, or share a post announcing the drawing, or subscribe to my website Blog, or come see me on June 26.
If you can’t make it to the Snake River Canyon, please visit by reading the story, inspired by that very exciting summer in Twin Falls when Evel Knievel came to town. And, yes, I was there when the Skycycle launched!