John Powell's Yellowstone Page, lake area

Yellowstone Lake

and

Misc. Valley Photos

Yellowstone Lake. Seems like that's all that needs to be said, right? Wrong. The lake itself resides in a main portion of the ancient volcanic cauldera that forms most of Yellowstone valley. When I visited Yellowstone in the 1960's the lake was crowded with fishing boats of all size and shapes, for back in those days you could actually take home what you caught, resulting in over fishing and a drop in the lake trout population. Some time since the 60's fishing was regulated to catch and release only, and the decimated lake trout recovered to the point where we saw them by the dozens at Fishing Bridge.

I have included general photos from other parts of Yellowstone here. While Yellowstone still attracts a large number of visitors it did not seem as crowded as I remembered in the sixties. Even with crowds there are still wide open vistas to appreciate.

A view of the lake. Didn't see a boat on it.

Yellowstone has white Pelicans. A rare sight for somebody from California where ours are brown.

Yellowstone River, downstream from the lake.

Rocking chairs on the front porch of the main lodge at Lake Lodge Cabins.

Another view of the river and some rapids. No innertubing on this water!

Much of the forested areas had been devastated by the fires of 1988. This was unfortunately the view in many places. However the regeneration process is alredy underway. Nature's way of recycling.

From forest to meadow to prarie. Wide open vistas all around.

Another wide open vista. No cars, power lines or buildings for miles!

updated 9/16/02