Did You Know Evel Knievel is an Idaho Legend?

The dry, fall air whips across the flat landscape. An abrupt, wide fault cuts across the otherwise uninterrupted terrain, dividing the city of Twin Falls from the highway. On one side, a man prepares to cross the canyon. His white outfit, complete with a thick, star-studded V across the front, alerts a watching nation that he does not intend to cross conventionally. Instead of taking the bridge, Evel Knievel was going to fly across.

The Canyon

The canyon daredevil Evel Knievel attempted to jump, the Snake River Canyon, is as deep as 500 feet and as wide as a quarter of a mile in some places. It was formed by the joint efforts of the Snake River and the ancient Bonneville flood. The black basalt stands out sharp against the sage plains and the river carves a deep ravine through Idaho’s landscape. The canyon is a popular place for boating, BASE and bungee jumping, golfing, fishing, picnicking, hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing, among other activities. Beautiful waterfalls, most notably Shoshone Falls, cascade over the sides and interior of the canyon. The smaller ones are great destinations for short hikes and hours of exploration. This scenic canyon is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including finches, rock chucks, foxes, deer, and hawks. Although you may not invest in Idaho property with the intent to soar across the deep chasm for your weekend fun, you have ample opportunity to enjoy its other practical recreational activities.

The Stunt

In his ongoing endeavor to awe and thrill his avid fan base, Evel Knievel knew he had to jump a canyon. Originally, Knievel had wanted to jump the Grand Canyon National Monument, but was prevented by the Department of the Interior. Knievel was not deterred, and instead scheduled a jump of the Snake River Canyon. His standard performances usually involved motorcycles and ramps. But for this particular jump, he tossed aside his usual dirt bikes and got a hold of the X-2 Skycycle. This vehicle was a steam-powered rocket designed by retired United States Navy engineer Robert Truax. On September 8, 1974, Knievel launched across the canyon. A flaw in the Skycycle design caused the parachute to deploy early, and that factor coupled with the prevailing winds prevented a successful jump. Many people believe that, were it not for the wind, Knievel would have made it. As it was, Knievel survived with few injuries, but his legacy lives on. In fact, his son Robbie Knievel and another stuntman, Mike Hughes, have both announced separate resolves to attempt the feat. No official word has yet been voiced, but Idaho property owners can keep their ears perked to hear more news. In the meantime, visitors and residents can visit the monument dedicated to Knievel’s legend, as well as the dirt ramp that was used for the original attempt. 

As you prepare to invest in Idaho property, you will be comforted to know that your chances of landing a home in Twin Falls, or anywhere else in this great state, are significantly greater than Evel’s chances of landing his feet on the opposite side of the canyon. With the help of one of our fantastic and knowledgeable agents, your Idaho property purchase need not be a stunt of wild daring. Instead, you can enjoy your beautiful home and take advantage of Idaho’s rugged and inspiring landscapes. Feel free to browse our listings of Idaho property for a look at the wonderful places you could live in next.

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