Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Absaroka Mountains across the lake. The island was named for James Stevenson, the skillful
manager of all three Hayden surveys of Yellowstone in the 1870s. Stevenson and a companion
explored the island and reported it to be a dense jungle with abundant animal tracks.
On the far side of Stevenson Island lies the wreckage of a 125-foot (38 m) wooden steam-
boat, the E. C. Waters, named for her owner. Launched in 1905, she was never licensed to
carry passengers and lay aground until 1930, when her boilers were removed and used to heat
the Lake Hotel. The boat's capstan has recently been added to the park's artifact collection at
Gardiner.
15.4/5.2 Gull Point Drive (south end). This is a two-way loop road about
2 miles (3 km) long, closed in times of high lake water. Gull Point marks the south edge of
Bridge Bay and extends into the lake for some distance when the water level is relatively low.
California gulls come to Yellowstone in mid spring to nest on the Molly Islands in the South-
east Arm of the lake.
16.9/3.7 Gull Point Drive (north end) on the lake side.
Natural Bridge Trailhead on the west side of the Grand Loop Road. This is the best
place to begin a bike ride to the Natural Bridge, a round trip of about 2 miles (3.2 km), but
there's very little space for parking here.
To hike to the Natural Bridge, it's best to turn in toward Bridge Bay Marina 0.3 mile (0.5
km) north, park in the large lot next to the marina, and follow the trail that starts from the
west side of the campground and then joins the old road. Natural Bridge from there is about
a 3-mile (4.5 km) round trip. Be aware that bears feed on the spawning trout in Bridge Creek
early in the season, so inquire about trail closures at a visitor center before hiking here.
Natural Bridge was cut by Bridge Creek through a cliff of rhyolite lava. Its graceful arch is
about 50 feet high and 30 feet across (15 m by 9 m). The Grand Loop Road passed this way
from 1901 to 1926. It climbed and descended a 16-percent grade before reaching this point.
(This is the north end of the former road from Arnica Creek mentioned at mile 5.7/14.9.)
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