Menan Butte offers unique eclipse viewing experience

There is a unique solar eclipse viewing experience available on the South Menan Butte.

“Literally, we have people signed up from all over the world. We’re just about two miles south of the center of totality,” said Brent Gunderson, co-founder of Crater Adventures.

But there’s got to be something else that’s bringing people to this specific area. In December 2016, Gunderson and his neighbor, Randy South, formed a small business and decided to plot out parking spots, camping spots, even RV spots on their own property for people to view the solar eclipse. They developed a webpage and started taking reservations.

The idea is, Crater Adventures is turning hayfields at the base of the butte into the camping and parking spots, but they are really selling the best view of the solar eclipse up on the rim of the butte.

“Uh the crater, we could put more cars in it than you could ever imagine,” said Gunderson.

Wait, what? Crater?

“You’re able to watch it from an extinct volcano,” Gunderson added.

There it is, but wait, there’s more.

“We’re up on the rim of the crater, which gives us about a 500-foot vantage point above the valley floor. So that gives you that extra added value in that you will be able to see the shadow of the eclipse coming from the west, coming towards us, and then we can also see it going to the east. And then at the end of totality, you’ll also see the sun coming and see the shadow receding and then be able to watch it go to the east also,” said Gunderson.

People want to see this and they are willing to pay. In June, Crater Adventures was taking two to three orders a day. Now a month away from the eclipse, Brent’s wife said they are taking six to nine reservations a day. The “A” lot is almost full and they are now working on filling the “B” lot.

“I got to admit that I was kind of a little apprehensive that anyone was going to drive all the way to Menan just to see the eclipse,” said Nathan South, son of Randy South.

The South family owns the south butte. He said the family is onboard now.

“But there will clearly be an influx of people and the interest is there and so,” said South.

The interest is coming from all over the world.

“Denmark, England. We’ve got a tour group, a busload, that just signed up this week that’s bringing a busload from England. We’ve got a guy with an RV from Germany. A guy from Japan. A guy coming to park from Australia. And the United States, we’ve got Massachusetts, New York state, Florida, Tennessee. We have a lot from Spokane, Washington, a lot from southern California, northern California, Arizona, Utah,” said Gunderson.

Gunderson even took a phone call during this interview.

“What city are you calling from?” Gunderson asked the caller. “Tucson, Arizona. OK,” he said.

There is one other important note for campers and tourists coming to this extinct volcano to see the eclipse shadow approach and leave in about two minutes.

“We have 30 port-a-potties rented, that we rented in January,” said Gunderson, smiling.

There is the option to park at the bottom of the butte and walk up. It is about a half-mile walk up the road. Parking spots are available inside the crater as well. Parking, camping or RV spots are still open.

Click idahosolareclipse.com for prices, plus T-shirts, glasses and even breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

There are other events happening in Jefferson County that weekend. Roberts is hosting a festival Aug. 18-21. The Lion’s Club, youth groups and church groups are involved. There will be food vendors and music. There is also a one-time parking ordinance in Roberts just for the day of the eclipse, Aug. 21.

Rigby will be closing Main Street from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 21 for the “Totality Awesome Eclipse Watch Artisan Fair.” Vendors can still contact Earlene Poole at The Jefferson Star newspaper.