PHOTOS: A Return To Balanced Rock Idaho Lit Up For Christmas

For those who have taken the trail south of Buhl to the base of a popular rock formation just outside Castleford, Idaho, it's a quick adventure that leaves a long-lasting impression. I recently returned to the rock for the first time since the world was thrown into upheaval during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December of 2020, approximately six months after most people began to understand a health crisis was encompassing the planet, I decided to social distance myself from my fellow southern Idaho residents by taking a nighttime hike to one of the region's most famous landmarks.

My wife and daughter joined me on the nighttime adventure to Balanced Rock, 18 miles west of Twin Falls, almost five years ago to the date, during the Christmas holiday of 2020. We had an idea that, to the best of our knowledge, had never been attempted before. You can access the trail off of U.S. Highway 30 just up (or down) the road from Balanced Rock Park.

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Balanced Rock Was Once Lit Up With Christmas Laser Projectors During The Holidays

The trail walk takes less than 15 minutes to reach the rock, which makes it one of the area's easiest hikes. It's also low-risk, and the reward is well worth the few calories burned. We made the short ascent at around 8 P.M., just a few days before Christmas, and it was freezing outside.

We didn't need to pack water, but we did take along two Star Shower laser projectors and a portable charging pack. Our plan was to see what the rock and its surrounding features looked like all decked out for the Christmas holiday.

READ MORE: Idaho's Balanced Rock Lit Up For Christmas Was Glorious To Witness

It was a unique experience for the three of us to share, and although the pictures don't really do it justice due to a crappy cellphone I owned at the time, you had to see it for yourself to really appreciate it.

Happy holidays, southern Idaho!