Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Absaroka Range
in the distance—these are 50-million-year-old volcanic mountains. Ab-
saroka was the name that the Crow called themselves, meaning “children of the large-
beaked bird” and pronounced ab-SAHR-o-ka. Due east of the viewpoint are four closely
grouped, pyramid-shaped peaks: Doane, Langford, and Stevenson are inside the park (and
all more than 10,000 ft / 3,050 m high), and Plentycoups, the highest at 10,937 feet (3,334
m), on the eastern border.
Duck Lake
in middle ground,
West humb Bay
's eastern edge in the background, with more
Absarokas behind it.
Flat Mountain
just beyond the bay (elevation 9,168 ft / 2,794 m), noted for its red cliffs.
Mt. Sheridan
at the far right and relatively close to the viewer (elevation 10,305 ft / 3,141 m).
View of Yellowstone Lake and Absaroka Range from above Duck Lake
Referring to this lake view, explorers David E. Folsom and Charles W. Cook wrote proph-
etically in 1869:
We ascended the summit of a neighboring hill and took a final look at Yellowstone Lake. Nestled
among the forest-crowned hills which bounded our vision lay this inland sea, its crystal waves
dancing and sparkling in the sunlight as if laughing with joy for their wild freedom. It is a scene
of transcendent beauty which has been viewed by few white men, and we felt glad to have looked
upon it before its primeval solitude should be broken by the crowds of pleasure seekers which at
no distant day will throng to its shores.
For a similar view completely off the highway, take the recommended Yellowstone Lake Over-
19.0/0.4
Short, steep, unmaintained trail to
Duck Lake [GEO.16].
This little lake has
an unusual geologic history. About 6,000 to 8,000 years ago a glacial ice dam gave way and al-
lowed water to drain out quickly. Removal of the load of water drastically lowered the pressure
