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BINGHAM COUNTY
EAST BUTTE
Bureau of Land Management
April 1, 1962: "Chief excitement last summer at East Butte was caused by a rat landing in Mrs. King's lap, rabbit shooting and tourists. The couple never left their trailer without first knocking at the door with their rattlesnake stick.
This, they explain, was to warn any coiled snakes, usually outside the door, that they were coming out, and they hoped the snake would leave before the door was opened.
Even after the door was opened the Kings used the stick to precede them up the lookout road, knocking as they went. This gave any snake a chance to get away or something to strike at if it stayed around and rattled. King notched his stick three times during the summer for rattlers that stayed around.
Twenty-three rattlers were killed during the summer by residents on the butte. Snake bite kits were kept handy but none had to be used due to the constant vigilance.
Many trips had to be made by the Kings from their trailer located 75 feet from the ridge top. The site had been bull-dozed for the trailer which was anchored with cables in the rocks against the strong winds, another summer hazard there.
The Kings were careful to caution visitors not to walk on the offside of their trailer lest a gust of wind assist the unwary over the 1,000-foot drop, straight down.
Although the butte is at 6,800 foot elevation and the lookout another 1,010 feet up, rattlesnakes live in the rocks and ledges which make up much of the terrain. A large amount of traffic hasn't discouraged them either, it was noted. Television towers, transmitter, power company unit, are included in other activities maintained atop the butte.
Hairpin curves, causing some cars to back up in order to make the turns, kept the King's visitors to a minimum although some relatives made it there twice during the season.
Two year-round butte residents, Charles and Rose Larson, were often visited by the Kings. Mrs. King often made the windy walk alone to visit them or assist at the tower.
The worst fire the Kings worked on this past summer for the BLM was named after Dead Horse cave. Fire lookout and reports kept them in contact with many other persons also. There was just too much to do to get very lonesome, they report." (Twin Falls Times News)
This, they explain, was to warn any coiled snakes, usually outside the door, that they were coming out, and they hoped the snake would leave before the door was opened.
Even after the door was opened the Kings used the stick to precede them up the lookout road, knocking as they went. This gave any snake a chance to get away or something to strike at if it stayed around and rattled. King notched his stick three times during the summer for rattlers that stayed around.
Twenty-three rattlers were killed during the summer by residents on the butte. Snake bite kits were kept handy but none had to be used due to the constant vigilance.
Many trips had to be made by the Kings from their trailer located 75 feet from the ridge top. The site had been bull-dozed for the trailer which was anchored with cables in the rocks against the strong winds, another summer hazard there.
The Kings were careful to caution visitors not to walk on the offside of their trailer lest a gust of wind assist the unwary over the 1,000-foot drop, straight down.
Although the butte is at 6,800 foot elevation and the lookout another 1,010 feet up, rattlesnakes live in the rocks and ledges which make up much of the terrain. A large amount of traffic hasn't discouraged them either, it was noted. Television towers, transmitter, power company unit, are included in other activities maintained atop the butte.
Hairpin curves, causing some cars to back up in order to make the turns, kept the King's visitors to a minimum although some relatives made it there twice during the season.
Two year-round butte residents, Charles and Rose Larson, were often visited by the Kings. Mrs. King often made the windy walk alone to visit them or assist at the tower.
The worst fire the Kings worked on this past summer for the BLM was named after Dead Horse cave. Fire lookout and reports kept them in contact with many other persons also. There was just too much to do to get very lonesome, they report." (Twin Falls Times News)
Duties were moved to Big Southern Butte.
