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| Home > Hikes > North America > Wyoming > Heart Lake Hike > | |||
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Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is the first National Park created, and consists of 2.2 million acres and supports 20,000 elk, 3,500 bison, 100's of deer along with black bears, grizzly bears, coyotes, bighorn sheep, antelope, mountain goats, swans, geese, cranes, pelicans and many others. After an absence of 70 years, it finally has several packs of wolves. In January 1995, 14 wolves, captured in Canada, were released in the park. There are more geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone, than any other part of the world. It is one of the most geologically active places on the planet. It features lakes of boiling mud and geysers shooting 200 feet into the air. The most famous being Old Faithful , although Old Faithful, isn't too faithful, and erupts when it feels like it. Besides Old Faithful, there are several other major geysers that erupt frequently, including Castle, Grand, Daisy and Beehive. There has been no hunting in the park for over 100 years, so the wildlife is less wary of humans. Every year visitors are injured by wildlife, mainly due to not respecting their space. Park regulations prohibit visitors from approaching within 100 yards of bears, and 25 yards of other animals. Remember, these are wild animals and need distance, especially females with young. They can be very unpredictable. History of the Park On March 1st, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was dedicated and set apart as a public park, by an act of Congress. In 1976 it was designated a Biosphere Reserve and in 1978, a World Heritage Site. Heart Lake Hike Distance :16 miles Location : Yellowstone National Park This hike starts/finishes at the Heart Lake Trailhead and travels to the lake, then along the northwest shore. It has attractive thermal areas along the shoreline and is known for both its waterfalls and isolated hot springs. Follow the wide trail through forest, which was badly affected by the 1988 fires, to Factory Hill (9607 feet), from here you will get your first view of the lake. Continue down to the very active Heart Lake Geyser Basin, crossing and recrossing the Witch Creek, till you come to the Ranger Station. The trail turns left and you follow the shoreline. You can choose any of the six campsites along the lake. Note Mount Sheridan can be hiked as a side trip. (7 miles) Warning Bears are very active here, hence the trail doesn't open until July 1st. Hikers may encounter heavy snow on Mt Sheridan, until mid-July or later. | |||
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