Ames Falls

Just west of the town of Ophir, Ames Falls, an in-and-out rough little 4-wheel drive road, takes you to a few amazing waterfalls. The road first leads you past the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant, which was constructed in 1890 and was one of the first commercial systems to produce and transmit alternating current electricity for industrial use. Just past the plant, the road makes a sharp turn and begins climbing up a steep, tight, and rocky road. Not far up the trail is a Y-intersection that takes you to a small parking area that overlooks an unnamed waterfall. Behind that waterfall and down a short hiking path rests the elusive Mystic Falls. Back on the road, continuing straight past the Y-intersection leads to Upper Ames Falls, which are visible all the way from Highway 145. The road does pass some private property and eventually deadends at an intersection with the Galloping Goose Hiking Trail, not far from the upper falls. Only one campsite was observed along this route, though it passes mostly through the national forest. Caution should be taken at the campsite, as multiple sinkholes appear to be forming.