SOUTHERN SECTION - Yellowstone Treasures - page 168

Yellowstone Lake Recreation
Swimming in Yellowstone Lake is strongly discouraged, even forbidden at West Thumb.
This is due to the extremely cold water—after all, the lake's elevation is nearly 8,000 feet
(3,400 m). On a recent hot July day the surface water temperature behind Fishing Bridge
Visitor Center was 55°F (13°C), but this was rare, and lakes like this one have colder lay-
ers beneath the surface. Signs at Bridge Bay are explicit: “Warning—water extremely cold.
Survival time limited to twenty minutes.”
Boating is allowed from several launch sites, but motorboats are restricted to Grant
Village and Bridge Bay Marina. Permits and flotation devices are required; see the Travel
Tips for more information. Be careful when boating! The lake is famous for sudden squalls,
especially in the afternoon, when waves can be as high as 6 feet. At least 40 drowning
deaths have occurred on the lake in the park's history; most have involved small boats.
Fishing opens on June 15th in Yellowstone Lake, but permits and regulations must be
acquired first from a ranger station, visitor center, or general store. See the Living Things
and Travel Tips chapters for more about fish and fishing in the park.
Continuing on the Grand Loop Road
19.6/1.0 Elephant Back Trailhead. A 4-mile (6.4 km) trail with a loop at the top climbs
Elephant Back Mountain about 800 feet (250 m) to a spectacular view of Yellowstone Lake,
but be aware that early in the season you need to inquire about grizzly bear activity in the
area. The mountain's name, one of the park's oldest, stems from the shape of its steep sides and
rounded summit. Elephant Back Mountain is part of a very large 153,000-year-old lava flow.
Across the road from the trailhead, a short trail leads to Lake Lodge.
20.6/0.0 Fishing Bridge Junction (sometimes called Lake Junction). Fishing Bridge and the
East Entrance are to the east; Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley, and Canyon Junction to the north;
Lake Village, Bridge Bay Marina, and West Thumb to the southwest. For facilities at Fishing
Bridge, see page 168 .