Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Canyon Junction to Norris Junction
The Canyon to Norris road (historically called the Norris Cutoff) was first built in 1885-86.
Although it was often in bad repair during its history, the road was substantially improved in
the 1960s and provides a convenient 12-mile-long (19 km) connection between the eastern
and western sides of the Grand Loop Road, providing the center part of the figure eight.
There's not a lot to see on the drive, but you'll find some pleasant trails to lakes and waterfalls,
as well as fly-fishing opportunities in the Gibbon River.
Road Log
0.0/11.6
Canyon Junction. To the west is Norris Junction; north are Dunraven Pass, Tower
Fall, and Tower Junction. East are Canyon Village and the north rim of the Yellowstone River
canyon, and south is Fishing Bridge Junction.
0.5/11.1 Cascade Creek Trailhead.
It's about 2.5 miles (4 km) from this trailhead to
the lake. This route is used by horseback groups as well as hikers. You may prefer the slightly
shorter and more pleasant Cascade Lake Trail (see mile 17.5/0.8 in the road log “From Tower
Junction to Canyon Junction”).
3.1/8.5
A tiny lily pond to the north may be covered with yellow blooms in midsummer. The
burned forest is a result of the 1988 Wolf Lake fire.
3.5/8.1
Short road to generous parking for Grebe Lake Trailhead. A popular fishing spot
and one of the few bodies of water in the park that may still have Montana grayling,
Grebe
Lake
is about 3 miles (5 km) from the road. It was named for the western grebe
(Aechmorphus
occidentalis),
a medium-large waterbird. The trail follows a former road most of the way and
joins the Howard Eaton Trail east of the lake.
Grebe Lake figured prominently in the story of the second stagecoach holdup to occur in
the park. In August of 1897, two masked men held up a caravan consisting of an army am-
bulance and 15 stagecoaches south of the lake. They got away with $630 in cash, but evidence
found at Grebe Lake soon helped to convict the men, who served two-and-a-half years' im-
prisonment for the crime.
