Spring Valley Summit
{{Infobox mountain pass
| name = Spring Valley Summit
| photo =
| photo_caption =
| elevation_ft = 4242
| elevation_ref =
| traversed = {{jct|state=ID|SH|55}}
| location = Boise County, Idaho, U.S.
| range = Boise Range,
Rocky Mountains
| map = USA#USA Idaho
| map_caption = Location in the United States##Location in Idaho
| label =
| coordinates = {{coord|43.836|-116.245|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}}
| topo =
}}
Spring Valley Summit is a mountain pass in the western United States in southwestern Idaho, at an elevation of {{convert|4242|ft}} above sea level. North of the city of Boise, it is traversed by State Highway 55, the Payette River Scenic Byway.[http://www.idahobyways.gov/byways/payette-river.aspx Idaho Byways - Payette River Scenic Byway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210111829/http://www.idahobyways.gov/byways/payette-river.aspx |date=2008-12-10 }}
Located in southwestern Boise County, the summit is south of the city of Horseshoe Bend, {{convert|1600|feet|round=5||adj=pre|vertical}} below. It marks the divide between the Payette River and Boise River drainage areas.
The new multi-lane grade of Highway 55 into Horseshoe Bend was completed in the fall of 1991;{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_35fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2645,2117133 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=Another bad hill goes down|agency=Associated Press |date=September 24, 1991|page=6A}} the old curvier road is to the west, long plagued by landslides and closures.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=63lfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ti8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4098,560991 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=New paths eyed for Highway 55|agency=Associated Press |date=December 17, 1983|page=7B }} Part of an ancient lake, dozens of springs fed water and undermined the roadway.
Of the major grades from Boise to north Idaho, it was the last to be improved. The other three, all on U.S. 95, were White Bird Hill (1975), Lapwai Canyon (1960), and Lewiston Hill (1977).
The north side of the summit is also known as Horseshoe Bend Hill.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.visitidaho.org Visit Idaho.org] - official state tourism site
- [http://lb.511.idaho.gov/idlb/cameras/camera.jsf?id=13&view=state&text=m&textOnly=false Idaho Transportation Dept.] - web-cam - Horseshoe Bend Hill (Spring Valley Summit)
- [http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/410851/Bread_Loaf_Rock.jpg "Bread Loaf Rock"], a local landmark in the valley between the roads, facing the older routing
Category:Mountain passes of Idaho
Category:Landforms of Boise County, Idaho
Category:Transportation in Boise County, Idaho
{{BoiseCountyID-geo-stub}}