Hike In Yelowstone, The Lost Lake Trail

August 16, 2011. Valley View RV Park, Island Park Idaho.


The last couple of days we took care of some domestic chores. Joyce and I rode into West Yellowstone yesterday to check out the town. It was a cloudy windy day so walking around town was a good way to kill the day. While there, we stopped at the Chamber/Visitor Center. Half of the center serves as a visitor center for Yellowstone N.P. We inquired about a loop hike in the north half of the park and two were suggested, Beaver Ponds Loop and Lost Lake Trail.
Today we decided to hike Lost Lake Trail with Paul and Paula in Yellowstone N.P.  We got going at 8:00 and drove to West Yellowstone in the Jeep. We stopped for a quick breakfast in town realizing that it would probably take us a couple hours to get to the trailhead.

As we drove to the trailhead, we stopped to take in the scenery from some of the overlooks as we hadn't been in the northern part of the park.

We found an off-road loop that took us up some high meadows. We were looking but didn't see any wildlife.

Many parts of the forested areas are full of dead trees from forest fires.

We finally arrived at Roosevelt Lodge and prepared for our hike. The trailhead for Lost Lake Trail is just behind the lodge. We noted the "Warning Bear Frequenting Area" sign on the trailhead bill board! Paul and Paula had purchased bear spray and I was carrying something a bit more lethal in case the bear spray didn't work! There are 150 Grizzlies and untold numbers of black bear in Yellowstone. There have been a few attacks this year and at least one fatality.

We decided to take the short hike to Lost Creek Falls first before starting on the Lost Lake Trail.

Lost Creek Falls

After returning from Lost Creek Falls we began our hike to Lost Lake up a steep mountain side through thick ripe Rasberry bushes. A favorite treat for bears! We made sure to make noise as we hiked! We picked and ate a few Rasberries as we walked...ummm tasty!

At the top of the mountain at about 7700 ft we could see Lost Lake in the distance.

Lost Lake

Paul and Paula

The hike continued to another landmark, The Petrified Tree, which is just a petrified stump. From there it was up the side of another steep bluff.

 We were soon in some high meadows where there were plenty of "buffalo chips" but no Bison to be seen.

Throughout the park there are a number of large dead pine trees. I'm assuming they may have been killed by Pine Beatles. Some of the dead trees are quite impressive in stature.

The hike ended after about 4.5 miles back at the Roosevelt Lodge and we all climbed back into the Jeep. We continued traveling the North loop and stopped for more beautiful sights and to eat our bag lunches.

One of many overlooks

After a full day of 9+ hours we were ready to head back home to take care of our dogs. We saw this Mule Deer on the way out of the Park.

We had a wonderful time and it was an exhausting day. We've decided to extend for another week here in Island Park Idaho as there is a lot to see in this area. The weather has been beautiful with the exception of one especially windy cloudy day. We've pulled out our ceramic heaters as the nights get into the low to mid 40's but the highs are in the mid 70's to low 80's.