View of Yellowstone Lake with Abyss Geyser in foreground

West Thumb / Grant Village

This area has a very unique history to it. I will start with West Thumb. West Thumb Geyser Basin is a unique geyser basin and a must see. I like to take people to see West Thumb Geyser Basin before I take them to see Old Faithful Geyser Basin. For a couple of reasons. One it is a smaller geyser basin then Old Faithful and the fact that in the morning Yellowstone Lake is calm and makes for better viewing. West Thumb is a geyser basin that has had quite a bit of geothermal energy shift so that some pool that were once blue are not and others such as black pool are a brillant blue. It is also intresting that the water level in the lake has gone up so much that there are active geysers and hot springs that are actually located underwater. One such feature is Fishing Cone.

West Thumb also once was a major developed area having a photo shop, general store, ranger station, gas station, cafeteria, lodge and cabins. But as part of the Mission 66 Project this area was slowly dimanteled so that the only thing left today is the ranger station used as a warming hut in winter and a book store contact station in the summer. Though you can still see the evidence of the old boat dock that use to take the stage coach passengers then later the auto coach passengers from West Thumb to Lake Yellowstone Hotel. At one point the stage coach drivers got an extra 50 cents for each passenger they could get to ride the boat but when the operator took away that incentive the boat business failed.

Grant Village is the newest location to be developed in the park so there fore once can find some of the most modern conviences. These differences are mainly in the lodging department. Where the rooms look more like condos from the outside and everything is spaced out rather in being crammed together. It is a good location to base yourself out of if you plan on visiting the Tetons but makes for a long drive to do the upper loop.

Grant Village was finally completed in the earily 1980's though it was first developed in the 1950's as part of the Mission 66 Project. This was phase two of a three phase project. The first phase was Canyon Village and the third Phase was going to be Old Faithful. Some benifits of the Grant Village Site was that it was long the lake but did not effect the West Thumb Geyser Basin as had the complex there. It was more spread out and when developed people were looking for more space to spread out. The first thing that opened at Grant was the Campground. One thing makes this area differnet is that there are quite a few major spawing streams that go through the area and as the bears use those streams in the spring the area is having to be closed to humans. the major impact of the area is the late opening of the campground at Grant which opens mid to late June.

Moose Falls - This falls is located just north of the South Entrance and if you feel the water it is warmer then other waters in Yellowstone.

Lewis Falls - These falls are hard to miss as that are at the head of the Lewis Canyon. These are tucked away in the corner so the are hard to photograph but worth the stop.

Lewis Canyon - This is a deep canyon (not as deep as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone) but due to the fires of 1988 this shows the damage that a fire can cause. The fires in this area ended up jumping the canyon to start fires on the other side. Along the road from West Thumb to South Entrance the fires of 1988 jumped the road in 7 different places.

Fires of 1988 exhibit at Grant Village Visitor Center - This exhbit shows some of the different aspects of the 1988 fires. It talks about the good and bad of the 1988 fires. The fires in 1988 caused the evacuation of Grant Village twice and came withing 50 feet of the employee's dorm. So stop by and see which the fires were accutally good for Yellowstone.

West Thumb Geyser Basin - This is must stop not only for the sure beauty of the site but because of the unique hot springs and geysers being located in Yellowstone Lake.

Lake Views - The road between West Thumb and Lake shows what the parked looked like before the 1988 fires but then also shows great views of the lake. I Like going on this road in the Morning or about sunset. One thing watch your speed as the Rangers enforce the speed limit of 45 mph.

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Hikes in the West Thumb/Grand Village Area

Shoshone Lake - The Quickest and shortest way to Shoshone Lake is via the Delacy Creek trail. The trailhead is between West Thumb and Old Faithful. The trail is relativity flat and is only three miles one way. I have seen many different type of birds on the trail as well as seeing a moose each time that I have been back there.

Heart Lake - This is an eight mile trail one way to Heart Lake. The trail head is south of Grant Village. The first five miles are relatively flat but the last three miles as you go along witch creek it gets fairly steep. This trail leads to Heart Lake and Rustic Geyser Basin. This is where Everts spent quite a bit of time before he decided to head out since his party was not going to find him in 1871, and he spent 37 days wandering Yellowstone with no food or matches all he had was the clothes on this back and an opera glass his horse took the rest. This hike is a good overnight spot as then you can climb Mt. Sherdian which is another 8 mile round trip hike. The trail does not open until July 1 each year to allow the bears access to the spawning fish in Heart Lake. Remember that there is no wading in Witch Creek because it is entirely of thermal origan and you can only wade in water where the hot water meets cold water.

Riddle Lake - Riddle Lake is a five mile round trip hike back to a lake where when it was named they were not sure which way the lake drained was it to the Alantic or Pacific Ocean? This is a realativity flat hike it is closed in early summer due to bears in the general area.

South Boundry Trail - This trail starts south of the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. You have to ford the Snake River so that this hike can not realy take place unitl after mid July. But the trail pretty much follows the souther boundry of Yellowstone National Park. I have been on a short portion of the trail but that has been a couple of years ago. But the trail will meet up with a trail that will take you to Heart Lake so if you have two cars you can make that a loop trail.

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Services in the West Thumb/Grand Village Area

Grant Village Cabins - Run By Amfac - Open Summer only

Grand Village Dining Room - Run By Amfac - Open Summer only

Steak House - Run By Amfac - Open Summer only

Hamilton Fountain - Run by Hamiltion - Open Summer only

General Store - Run by Hamiltion - Open Summer only

Mini General Store - Run by Hamiltion - Open Summer only

Gas Station - Run by Amfac and Hamilton features Conoco Gasoline - Open Summer and Winter

Grant Village Campground - Run By Amfac - Open Summer only

Lewis Lake Campground - NPS - Open Summer only

Visitor Center - Open Summer Only

Contact station at West Thumb - Open Summer and Winter

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Remember... To stay on the boardwalks at all times in the thermal areas as they are there for your safety. Keep your distance from the bison in this are. People have been gored in this area in the past and have even died because of the injuries. Do not throw anything into the geysers or hot springs as that can damage the features. Remember that there is not fishing in the thermal areas nor from boats right near the thermal features. But there is some great fishing in the area both via the shore and by boat. Just remember to have your fishing licenses.

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Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
307-344-7381

Entire contents & copy;1997-2001 David Rothenburger (Parkee@worldnet.att.net).

You are the to visit my site since December 8, 1999.

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