U.S. Route 26, US-20 to US-93

 

Last Driven August 2010

Historical Photo (August 2009)

Location: Main St and US-20, Carey, Blaine Cty

Reassurance shield as the three routes come together. They’ll all run concurrent through Craters of the Moon to Arco. To my knowledge, this is the first instance of the IDAHO BYWAY banner that is replacing the scenic brown shields.

Location: US-20 and Mountain View Dr, Blaine Cty

As we head out of unincorporated Carey, we’re reminded that 26/93 is open from Carey to Arco. No word on the concurrent US-20 (“but officer, I was driving US-20!”)

Location: US-20 and Mountain View Dr, Blaine Cty

Reassurance shield new to the 2010 drive acknowledging that US-20 is the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway. 26 and 93 aren’t important. I suspect that this byway designation was the one that made Idaho make the decision to dump brown signs for scenic routes, as this one was designated around the same time that decision was made (late 2009). Bummer.

Location: US-20 and Lake View Rd, Blaine Cty

Reassurance shield as we head out of the Carey area

Location: US-20 and Peck Rd, Blaine Cty

Reassurance shield as we cross through some farmland

Location: US-20 at the Craters of the Moon National Preserve, Blaine Cty

US-20/26/93 will cross through the Craters of the Moon, a naturally preserved volcanic remnant

Location: US-20 at the Craters of the Moon National Preserve, Blaine Cty

Reassurance shield as we enter Craters of the Moon

Location: US-20 and Lava Lake Rd, Blaine Cty

Reassurance shield after the turnoff to Lava Lake

Location: US-20 at the Butte County Line, Butte Cty
Reassurance shield as we cross into Butte County. The moon is visible in the background

Location: US-20 and Visitors Center Rd, Butte Cty

The main Craters of the Moon visitors center is accessible just after the Butte County line

Location: US-20 and Visitors Center Rd, Butte Cty

Reassurance shield with directionals after the visitors center, presumably so tourists don’t get lost.

Location: US-20 and Blizzard Mtn Rd, Butte Cty

Reassurance shield as we head out of the Craters of the Moon area

Location: US-20 and 2200 N Rd, Butte Cty

Reassurance shield as we pass through some farmland once more. Arco is at the base of the mountains in the distance.

Location: Grand Ave and Park Rd, Arco

Several miles later, we’ll enter Arco

Location: Grand Ave and Idaho St, Arco

Junction…Crosswalk Ahead! This should be US-93, or 20/26, or something. But not that.

Location: Grand Ave and Front St, Arco

Turn left for 93 North, while 20/26 will continue East

Location: Grand Ave and Front St, Arco

Follow 20/26 towards Idaho Falls- both routes heading their albeit in separate ways, and 93 North towards Mackay and Salmon

E to ID-33, W to ID-75

E to ID-33, W to ID-75

N to ID-75, S to ID-75

N to ID-75, S to US-20

E to US-93, W to ID-75