At Thumb, the road descends to the shore of Yellowstone Lake. 7,730 feet
above sea level, this huge lake covering more than 130 square miles, is
America’s highest navigable body of water. Past Fishing Cone, the road
skirts the shore of the Lake for many miles to the mouth of the
Yellowstone River. Many Yellowstone visitors enjoy fishing or boating on
the lake.
Big, hard-fighting trout of several species inhabit the deep,
perpetually cold waters of the lake, and afford the finest kind of
sport. Boats, guides and fishing tackle are available.
[Illustration: Here is part of the crowd clustered around Old Faithful
as it nears time for an eruption. This famous geyser discharges with
almost clock-like regularity at intervals of about 65 minutes.]
There are also a number of modern speedboats that were painstakingly
hauled up to the lake. These mahogany beauties make regular passenger
trips and give a real thrill as they race over the sparkling water.
Yellowstone Lake is one of the few places in America where you may still
see wild swans—the last survivors of once-numerous flocks of these
majestic birds. Pelicans are plentiful on Molly Island.
[Illustration: Mile-and-a-half high Yellowstone Lake is ringed by the
snow-capped Absaroka mountains.]
But now our tour continues. Winding through beautiful Hayden Valley, the
road continues, for the most part, close beside the Yellowstone River
and then past Mud Volcano. Soon we cross over Chittenden Bridge, pass
the Upper and Lower Falls and reach hospitable Canyon Hotel that is
superbly situated at the head of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
[Illustration: Successful fishermen.]
[Illustration: Pine trees cling precariously to the rocky walls of
Kepler Cascades where the Firehole River drops down a series of
picturesque falls and rapids.]
[Illustration: At the head of the Grand Canyon, the Yellowstone River
roars thunderously down the great falls. Here, from viewpoints on either
side of the canyon, is one of the most gloriously colorful scenes on
this continent.]
[Illustration: Photographing the great falls of the Yellowstone River.]