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Nugget 18: Six Hikes near Yellowstone Lake |
On a visit to Yellowstone, you may be staying near beautiful Yellowstone Lake, the remarkable body of water that takes up much of the southern part of the park (see the map). There's a large campground at Bridge Bay, an RV campground at Fishing Bridge, and the comfortable hotel and many cabins at Lake Village. You can find at least six delightful hikes in this area.
Also near the lake are Pelican Creek and Storm Point Nature Trails. The first is a very short loop, and the second is a little longer (2 miles or 3.2 kilometers). It starts at steep-walled Indian Pond, which was created by a steam explosion thousands of years ago. With its trailhead near the Fishing Bridge gas station, a segment of the historic Howard Eaton Trail takes you along the wide placid Yellowstone River to LeHardys Rapids, where trout spawn early in the summer season. If you do visit at that time, be sure to check first at the visitor center across the road, since grizzly bears may be enjoying the trout.
For the more ambitious hiker, there's Elephant Back Trail, an 800-foot (250 m) climb up the mountain of the same name that affords you a spectacular view of the lake and environs. CREDITS: The Yellowstone Lake photo is by Bruno Giletti, the Natural Bridge postcard by Detroit Publishing Co. ˜ ˜ ˜
Copyright 2002–2010. All Rights Reserved. |
Along the lakeshore, you might walk on the former roadbed from west of the hotel all the way to the outlet of Yellowstone Lake at Fishing Bridge, enjoying the lake and mountain views, the multitude of wildflowers, and lots of waterfowl, such as the Canada geese shown here (right). Take care to keep well out of the way of the bison who like this area, too!
The Natural Bridge, shown (left) on an early 20th century postcard, is a level three-mile (4.5 km) round trip hike or bike ride from the Bridge Bay campground.
You can find out more about the birds you will see in the area in  |
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