Heart Lake
Yellowstone is an area of stunning beauty, from the geysers of Old Faithful to the majestic Yellowstone Canyon.
The true beauty of Yellowstone, however, is in places not accessible by road, but instead by a trail. Heart Lake is one of these places. Heart lake is located approximately halfway between the South border of the park and Yellowstone Lake. The trailhead can be found along the road from Grant Village tp the South Entrance.
The trail to Heart Lake is approximately 7.5 miles long, so if you choose to travel it, expect to spend the night. Carrying 50 lb packs, the trip takes about 7 hours, with breaks every hour and a stop for lunch. The trail goes through some area that was burned in the fires of 1988, so it is an excellent place to see the cycle of life in action. Unfortunately, this also means that shade and vegitation is not a contant commodity, so expect a rather dry and dusty trail. Be sure to bring plenty of water, three or four liters should be enough.
The entire Heart Lake area, including the trail, is bear country. This is a wonderful chance to see these majestic creatures in the wild, but it is also a safety concern.
Heart Lake does allow fishing, just be sure to get a permit at a ranger station first. Campsites are available with reservations, which are also available for free at any ranger station. Heart Lake is an area of pristing beauty. Please treat it as such and tread lightly. Leave only footprints and take only pictures.
