Cascade Lake
| Trail Features: | Lake Views, Wildlife, Wildflowers |  |
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| Trail Location: | Canyon Village | ||||
| Roundtrip Length: | 5.5 Miles | ||||
| Trailhead Elevation: | 7900 Feet | ||||
| Total Elevation Gain: | 282 Feet | ||||
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 103 Feet | ||||
| Highest Elevation: | 8015 Feet | ||||
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 6.06 (moderate) | ||||
| Parking Lot Latitude | 44.73534 | ||||
| Parking Lot Longitude | -110.50344 | ||||
Trail Description:
This hike to Cascade Lake in Yellowstone National Park begins from the Cascade Creek Trailhead, located on Norris-Canyon Road just west of Canyon Village. The lake can also be accessed from the Cascade Lake Trailhead, located directly north of Canyon Village.
From the roadside parking area the trail travels northbound through a broad grassy meadow for a short distance, before proceeding into a mixed pine forest. Although the trail loosely follows its namesake creek, hikers will have very little direct contact with it. For the most part the trail travels through the pleasant forest, and will pass along the edge of several meadows that will provide you with glimpses of the surrounding mountains.
At 1.7 miles from the trailhead hikers will reach the Cascade Lake Trail junction. You should turn left here to continue towards the lake. After roughly a half mile the trail begins traveling through a broad grassy meadow that offers great views of the surrounding mountains, and eventually the lake itself. This area in particular is a great place to spot wildlife, such as bison, elk and moose, as well as a variety of wildflowers during the spring and early summer months. Hikers should also keep an eye out for grizzly bears.
At just over 2.7 miles hikers will arrive at the north end of Cascade Lake. The lake is surrounded by tallgrass, with low hills rising above its far side. The 36-acre lake is also known as a good fishing spot, especially for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling.
Hikers may want to note that the trail can be wet and muddy during the spring and early summer months. The park website states that snow can linger on the trail through July.
Beyond this vantage point hikers will have the opportunity of continuing for roughly two miles to reach Grebe Lake, or, if you still have the time and energy, make the 2.6 mile climb up to 9406-foot Observation Peak, which stands roughly 1400 feet above the northwestern side of the lake.
Additional Resources:
* Yellowstone National Park website
* Trail Map (trails are not included on the official park map)
* Lonely Planet Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks