Approximately 8,000 feet above the Snake River. Without irrigation water from the Snake River, this part of Idaho would be a total desert.

Below 8,000 feet and descending. This is a image of Thorn Creek Butte area, where the nearcraft was recovered. It's a fairly heavily wooded location that made recovery interesting.

A picture of one of my students, Justin (on the left). He and a friend attended the launch and chase of TV99B. As you can see, the nearcraft recovered in a pine forest on top of Thorn Creek Butte. It took a good half hour of searching to find the nearcraft, caught by its parachute, hanging in a tree. Tree spikes allowed the program director to climb some six feet up the trunk of the tree and pull the parachute lose. Thorn Creek Butte is a good location for finding pegmatite.

Good luck on all your future endeavors, Justin.