Lost Lake (Yellowstone National Park)

Lost Lake is a secluded 6 acre lake that is hidden away from the main roads in Yellowstone National Park and is only accessible through a hike. This hike offers some amazing scenery to those who undertake this adventure. This is a spectacular day hike that the whole family will enjoy and it is well worth the trip.

Directions to Trailhead: From Tower Junction drive south toward the Roosevelt Lodge. If you are coming from Mammoth Hot Springs, head north toward the Roosevelt Lodge. Park near the Roosevelt Lodge. It is the same parking lot with the restrooms and recycling stations just short of the gas station there at Tower Junction. Walk past the gate up the road all the way to the Roosevelt Lodge. Do not turn, continue straight up to the road and on the back side of the Roosevelt Lodge you will run into the trailhead, it is not visible from the front side of the Roosevelt. Click Here for an interactive map of Yellowstone National Park.

Description of Trail: The trail was in great shape, except towards the end of the loop when the trail gets confusing to follow when you go through the newly constructed ranger station near the Roosevelt Lodge. Other than that, the trail is in great shape and for most of the trail you are in the back country of Yellowstone National Park. The hike is 2.8 miles roundtrip and has about 300 feet of elevation gain to it. Lost lake is a nice mountain lake that covers roughly 6 acres. To reach the lake from the trailhead you head up a series of switchbacks from the Roosevelt. At the crest of the hill you have a choice to go right or left on the trail (there is a trail sign there as well), make a right and head to Lost Lake. The trail is a loop and you will end up coming right back to the Roosevelt Lodge. Another point of interest along this hike is the petrified tree that is about halfway around the loop.

Further Thoughts: This was probably the most enjoyable hike for myself while at the park. It was great for several reasons. First, was because of the elk and bison we saw while on the hike. Second, was because while we were hiking it began to snow a little from a thunderstorm that was on top of Mt. Washburn. Lastly, the views of the hike combined with the clouds of the thunderstorm on top of Mt. Washburn were spectacular. You will not be disappointed with the scenery this hike offers.

The Lake is very pleasant and while there, we noticed wolf tracks in the mud. They were very big canine tracks. One thing that is great about this hike is the views of the valley when you begin to come back down toward the Roosevelt Lodge. It is a great place to take pictures and to take in the sweeping views of the area. Lastly, we also saw a marmot on the hike. It was one of several marmots we saw while hiking in this area. This was another fun short hike in Yellowstone National Park.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 300 ft. (Easy), Distance: 2.8 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1.5 - 2 hours.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Artists Paintpots

Beaver Ponds Trail

Boiling River

Ice Lake

Lamar River Trail

Lost Lake (This Post)

Tower Falls

Trout Lake

Upper Geyser Basin

Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail

View Lost Lake in a larger map

Boiling River (Yellowstone National Park)

The Boiling River hike is one of the more popular hikes in Yellowstone National Park. It is a fun short hike that everyone in the family can do. It follows the scenic Gardner River and goes to an area that you are allowed to swim in. Make sure to bring your swim trunks as the reward is swimming in the Gardner River where a hot spring mixes with the cold river water.

Directions to Trailhead: From the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel drive north to Gardner, Montana (The north exit of the park). In about 2 miles the trailhead parking area is on both your right and left hand sides. The trailhead itself actually starts on the right hand side. If you have passed the sign talking about being at the 45th parallel you have gone too far. This is a popular trail and you will likely see other people parked at the trailhead as it is popular. The trail is open from 5am to 9pm. Click Here for an interactive map of Yellowstone National Park. 

Description of Trail: The trail is well maintained and is virtually flat for the whole hike. This is a popular trail for park visitors and it is a short hike. It is only a half a mile to the swimming hole, or a one mile roundtrip hike. There is also a vaulted restroom at the trailhead. This is a hike that the whole family can do together. Even though it is a short trail, remember it is still in the heart of Yellowstone and you can encounter wildlife at anytime while hiking this trail. The swimming hole has benches to sit on for those that do not wish to get into the water. Getting in the river is about finding the right balance of hot and cold water. The river itself is cold and the several streams of water coming from the hot spring are very hot. It is about finding the balance between hot and cold and when you do the water is great.

Further Thoughts: This was a fun hike. The trail follows the Gardner River and you are rewarded with great views and the sounds of the river right beside you. One this trail we saw a 7 foot snake which was pretty cool and there was plenty of evidence that Bison and Elk like to use the trail as well. An interesting fact about the trail is that it begins at the 45th parallel of latitude which is exactly half way between the equator and the North Pole.

Because of the popularity of the hike, the park service has prohibited pets, bicycles, soap, beverages or food on the trail. I would also suggest changing into your swimming attire before you head out to the trailhead and make sure to bring a towel. The river does have a strong current, so if you have kids that are going to be swimming in the river watch them carefully so they don't leave the swimming area and go into the Gardner River.

The Boiling River (which does not boil) is created by a massive discharge from a local hot spring. The discharge of hot water is a couple feet deep and about 6 feet wide. It mixes with the Gardner River in two locations and creates two good locations to get into the water and enjoy. This spot is a local favorite and people have been coming here to swim for a long time.

Rating: Elevation Gain: minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip (Very Easy).

Time to Complete Hike:  20 - 30 minutes, plus however long you stay to enjoy the water.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Artists Paintpots

Beaver Ponds Trail

Boiling River (This Post)

Ice Lake

Lamar River Trail

Lost Lake

Tower Falls

Trout Lake

Upper Geyser Basin

Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail

View Boiling River (Yellowstone NP) in a larger map

Yellowstone Wildlife

I recently returned from a family trip to Yellowstone which is a must visit for anyone(this was my second time to the park). It is a national park that is overflowing with wildlife and May is a great time to visit to see the over abundance of wildlife in the park. Over the next couple of weeks I will add some of the hikes to the blog that we did while in Yellowstone. We are going to make a National Park Hike Section for the Yosimite and Yellowstone Hikes. While in Yellowstone we saw 11 different Grizzlies, 8 different black bears, a wolf take down an Elk, Herds of Bison, Herds of Elk, Big Horn Sheep, Herds of Prong Horn Antelope, 5 foxes, 6 coyotes, and much more like marmots, etc. Bottom-line is if you have never been to Yellowstone it is time to book your trip. Great Hiking + amazing wildlife + being on top of a super volcano = a great time. Below are a small sample of the pictures of Animals we saw on the trip.

Grizzly and Cub

Two Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Eating Dead Bison (Taken Through Spotting Scope)

Fox near its Den

Big Horn Sheep

More Big Horn Sheep

More Big Horn Sheep

Wolf with a radio Collar (There is an elk the wolf pack injured and drove into the lake)

The Elk with the Wolf in the corner

The injured Elk

Owl

Owl

Moose

Mother Moose and Baby

Black Bear

Rosy the Black Bear and 2 Cubs

Bison

Bison

Bison

Elk

Elk

An unfortunate Elk

Pronghorn Antelope

Pronghorn Antelope

Male Pronghorn

A Marmot

Deer

7 foot Snake

Coyote

3 Bald Eagles

Orange County Native Plant Information (Part 1)

Here is some information about Native Plants that you may encounter on the trails while hiking in Orange County and Southern California.

Lemonadeberry plant (Rhus integrifolia sumac family). It is an Evergreen, aromatic shrub that has small, pinkish white flowers in compact clusters on stem ends. It blooms usually from February to April with reddish Berries. The berries are sticky and have a lemony taste! Native Americans used to use their berries as a thirst quencher. For more information about this plant click here.

California Buckwheat (Erigonum fasciculatum). This is a small dense shrub which is highly characteristic of coastal sage scrub habitat and chaparral. It has many small, narrow leaves along the stems and dense pinkish white flower clusters on the ends of their stems in spring. It is found mostly in drier areas. It is an important food source for bees, native Harvester ants and makes excellent honey. For more information about this plant click here.

California or Western Sycamore (Plantanus racemosa). This is a deciduous tree which grows straight and tall or bent and crooked with branches almost touching the ground.  The leaves on the tree resemble maple lead, are covered with fine hair, and feel soft. They generally grow on slops, along banks of streams, and other wet areas. For more information about this tree click here.

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia). They are part of the oak family and grow up to 50 feet. They are easily identified by the holly - like, convex leaves with prickly edges and fine hairs on the underside. Thick moist bark protects the tree from wildfires. It grows along streams, in woodlands and chaparral.  The live oak played an important role in the lives of Native Americans. Its slender acorns provide food for deer, quail, woodpeckers, squirrels and other animals.  For more information about this tree click here.

Orange County Native Plant Information (Part 1) (This Post)

Orange County Native Plant Information (Part 2)