Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A raindrop falling on one side of Craig Pass may be destined for Astoria, Oregon, while a
drop falling a few feet away on the other side of the pass could meet the Gulf of Mexico
near New Orleans.
Isa Lake is situated right across this line at Craig Pass. This is a rare type of place where
the top of the divide is actually flat enough to permit a small depression where the small
pond, Isa Lake, has formed. Looking at the lake, you would think that the water from its
southwestern outlet would flow to the Pacific and that from the northeastern outlet to the
Atlantic, but just the opposite is true.
In this area the Continental Divide doubles back on itself and the road crosses it again,
as you can see from the sketch. Using the old name, continental watershed, might make it
easier to visualize.
—With contributions by Linton A. Brown
This high point on the road is called
Craig Pass,
named for the first tourist to cross the
pass on the “new” road in 1891. From near Craig Pass, logs to build Old Faithful Inn were cut
in the winter of 1903-4 and dragged down on sledges.
The grade descending northeastward from Isa Lake was so steep in the early days of the
first stagecoach road that drivers dubbed it Corkscrew Hill. According to Lee Whittlesey's
book
Yellowstone Place Names,
drivers enjoyed terrifying the “dudes” by rushing down this
narrow and tortuous hill. Since that time, realignment has reduced the grade so much that
you hardly notice the hill.
10.5/8.9 DeLacy Creek Trailhead
opposite the parking area. This trail leads through
forest and meadow south 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the shore of Shoshone Lake, connecting with
trails around that lake and along Lewis Lake channel to Lewis Lake and the South Entrance
Road. During most of the summer, it may be hard to keep your boots dry. Parallel deep tracks
show heavy use by hikers and fishermen.
Walter W. DeLacy, for whom the creek was named, was an army captain and civil engineer
who passed through this part of future park territory in 1863 with a party of prospectors.
Shoshone Lake was called DeLacy's Lake for a time, in honor of his discovery that it is part of
the Snake River's drainage, not Madison River's, as previously believed.
10.8/8.6
DeLacy Creek picnic area on a short side road.
11.1/8.3 Shoshone Point
turnout for a view of distant Shoshone Lake. The Teton Range
about 50 miles (80 km) away may also be seen on a clear day.
