NORTHERN SECTION - Yellowstone Treasures - page 350

16.2/1.9 Elk Creek crossing. This immediate area was intensely burned in the 1988 Wolf Lake
fire.
16.6/1.5 Eastern end of Blacktail Deer Plateau Drive (one way, do not enter here).
To the north, indicated by a Horse Crossing sign near the main road, is an area heavily
used by riding parties from the Tower-Roosevelt corral. Down the hill is the historic site
of Yancey's Hotel, where horseback and stagecoach parties from Roosevelt now come for
cookouts.
16.7/1.4 Petrified Tree half-mile side road, not usable by large vehicles because it lacks turn-
ing space at the end.
It's sad to note that only one standing petrified tree remains of the many found on this hill-
side when the park was first explored. The surviving tree is protected by an iron cage, since
souvenir hunters over the years have made off with all the others. Although the 1912 edition
of the Haynes Guide refers to “two large stumps,” editions from 1916 on include a picture of
just one large standing stump. The remaining tree is (or was) a redwood, like those that grow
today in California.
Lost Lake Trail goes south where the side road ends, following Yancey Creek for less
than 1 mile (1.5 km) through waist-high wildflowers to quiet, lily-pad-covered Lost Lake.
Near the lake, you may see moose or beaver, but reputedly no fish. Black bears are also seen
frequently in this part of the park.
The trail continues another mile (1.6 km) to reach Roosevelt Lodge, passing the junction
with the Lost Creek Falls Trail on the way. The last half mile (0.8 km) descends about 500 feet
(150 m).
Curiously, Lost Creek does not flow out of Lost Lake, but originates near Prospect Peak
in the Washburn Range and runs past the ranger station at Tower-Roosevelt Junction. Lost
Lake's outlet stream is Yancey Creek.