Hiking and biking in Yellowstone

We decided to stay in the park last weekend and explore the area around Yellowstone Lake on Saturday. The lake is the largest in the country above 7,000 feet. We visited the Lake Yellowstone Hotel which is the oldest building in the park built in 1891 and saw pictures and read descriptions of life back then. After checking out the visitor center we had a picnic by the lake. It was peaceful and serene.

On the advice from friends we took an hour boat ride which was narrated by a park ranger. It gave us an appreciation of the size of the lake and more history of the park.

After the boat ride we drove to a parking area and took a two mile hike to the lake at Storm Point. It started out at Indian Pond which was formed as a result of a hydrothermal blowout.

The trail was mostly flat and wove through meadows and woods until we reached the lake. We made noise as we went along and Dan carried bear spray. We didn't want to startle any bears in the area. Fortunately we only saw some tiny squirrels, butterflies, and grasshoppers. When we reached the water there were rocks all around which we assumed was Storm Point. I haven't found out the story behind the name.

The trail followed the water for a while then turned back through the woods filled with lodge pole pine, the most common tree in the park. It was delightful walking through it.

Then the trail opened back up into meadows and looped around to the starting point. There was an abundance of beautiful wild flowers along the way that made the hike very enjoyable and not as strenuous as others that we have taken.

On Sunday we took a bike ride to see the Lone Star Geyser. The bike/hike trail is about two miles from Old Faithful and goes about three miles from the road to the geyser following a river at some points. Lone Star erupts about every three hours and lasts for about fifteen minutes. While we were waiting we chatted with some folks who work at another General Store in the park near the northern entrance. We ended up waiting over an hour, but it was well worth it. The eruption was very forceful and continuous. It delighted the group of about thirty people including several families who walked or biked out to see it.

On the way back to Old Faithful we stopped at Kepler Cascades which is a small falls where the river flows over a hillside and continues on its way. It's another example of the beauty that pops up all over this park.

We are still liking our jobs, the friends, the food, and the fun. The store is still very busy especially after Old Faithful erupts. This weekend we are going hiking with friends on Saturday and driving the Bear Tooth highway to Red Lodge, MT on Sunday. More to come......