Heart Lake (Wyoming)

The Heart Lake is a lake at the eastern foot of Mount Sheridan in Yellowstone National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It lies at an altitude of 2274 m in the Heart Lake Geyser Basin in the southern part of the park. Near the lake there are some geysers like the Rustic Geyser and hot springs, such as the Columbia pool. The outflow is via the Heart River on the southeast side of the lake.

History

The lake got its name around the year 1871 after the local hunters hard Hunney. This name origin was later confirmed by Hiram Martin Chittenden, an engineer of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The official name was given to the lake but later by John W. Barlow, an officer of the United States Army, the thought of the origin of the name lies in the heart shape of the lake. The attempt by HM Chittenden to change the name later in Hart Lake to the original namesake, failed.

Fauna

The lake is home to, among others, American lake trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout and Gebirgsmaränen.

Accessibility

The lake is only accessible by hiking trails. He can be reached via the about 12.1 -km-long Heart Lake Trail. This trail begins at the Grand Loop Road between the southern park entrance and the place Grant Village and leads on the eastern side half around the lake. Furthermore, it can be reached through the longer Trail Creek Trail. Between April 1 and June 1, the area around the lake, locked because of its population of bears.

Gallery

Heart Lake from Mount Sheridan, 1965

Mount Sheridan from Heart Lake, 1968

Deluge Geyser, Heart Lake Geyser Basin, 1872 William Henry Jackson

Heart Lake and Heart River