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- May 31, 2015
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September 3-5, 2022
Jessica drew a great spot in the new lottery system for Yellowstone this past spring, so we decided to use that good fortune to go somewhere for Labor Day that would have been in fairly high demand. Jessica was interested in Heart Lake, and she and I had never been, so we reserved a couple of sites to do a shuttle route through the area. We were joined by our friend Andrew, who you've likely seen in various other reports I've posted. We had an additional spot on the reservation, but we weren't able to find anyone to fill it.
I had to wait a little bit to post this because @Pringles did the exact same route a week before us and posted a great trip report from it.
We got started on the Saturday before Labor Day. Got our permits in West Yellowstone and sat in a lot of traffic to get in to the park. Yellowstone just yesterday announced that September visits were actually down about 36% from last year. So I guess if Labor Day visits were down a similar percentage, the traffic wasn't as bad as it was last year.
We dropped Andrew's car at the trailhead near the south entrance, then we headed to the Heart Lake trailhead. Got started by early afternoon.
It was a warm day, not a cloud in the sky. The trail was pretty dusty.
Crossing through a thermal area above the lake.
A classic view. I mean, I had never personally seen it before, but I have seen a lot of photos of it.
More thermal stuff as we get lower.
We were pretty worn out from the sun and the heat by the time we got down to Heart Lake.
We spent a good while hanging out on the large beach. Standing in the water, having a snack, rehydrating, taking photos, and listening to a loon calling out in the distance.
Witch Creek near where it flows into the lake.
I know Heart Lake is probably the most popular backcountry destination in the park, but I guess we timed our entry and arrival at camp just right so we ended up seeing only a few people. One group at the trailhead, a pair at the lake, and a single person in the distance on the shore of the lake.
We got to camp and got set up. This camp site was fantastic. Right next to a good stream and great views. Also great views from the backcountry shitter, and great views of the shitter from the food prep area
We went over to look at the lake some more as the sun was going down.
We sat around the fire for a bit after dark.
I accompanied Jessica over to the toilet as we were getting ready for bed. As I stood nearby, I saw eyes maybe 15-20 yards away reflecting back at me. My headlamp didn't illuminate whatever it was. It moved around a little but didn't stop looking. I clapped my hands together and spoke loudly, but it was still staring by the time we were headed back. Probably was a deer, but I made sure not to mention it until the next morning.
We heard an elk bugling not too far away that night too. Pretty cool.
We got up and got moving fairly quickly in the morning. We did have a little time to take it easy though.
On the trail again, headed south, looking east.
At the southwest corner of the lake. The beach was not as nice here.
From there, we headed up into the woods and spent a good while walking through thick, younger growth. We saw Sheridan Lake just barely through the trees along this part. I think we also saw what was the old trail that used to go down by the lake.
We got to a pleasant little stream, probably Basin Creek, waded across, and had lunch in the shade.
Eventually we busted out into some meadows. This is looking back behind us at Mt. Sheridan.
There was a good amount of scat along the trail. This is the only one I photographed. I wonder if bears would find it interesting that we take so much interest in finding their poop.
Approaching Basin Creek Lake.
Looking back at Basin Creek Lake.
I think it was somewhere right after we had passed Basin Creek Lake that, as we were yelling out things to keep bears aware of us, I decided to yell an obscene line from I Think You Should Leave. Immediately after I finished, we noticed on our left that a group of backpackers was sitting right off the trail having lunch. We hadn't seen anyone all day, and of course they were right there. We all acted like nothing happened, exchanged pleasantries, and went on our way.
Big meadows along Basin Creek, where Basin Creek and Red Creek come together.
We came across this mule train as we neared the Snake River. There was the guy leading the train, maybe another outfitter or two, and then a group of maybe 4 or 5 women on horseback. We assumed they were rich people going on some sort of "luxury" backcountry outing given that they had quite a few mules, and they were carrying quite a bit. They seemed a little surprised to have come across anyone, and aside from the outfitters, most of them didn't acknowledge us when we greeted them. That kind of bugged me.
Views from above the Snake River.
We got to the river and took a good break after crossing.
Jessica cooling off.
We shouldered the packs again after a while and headed to our camp site.
Getting close.
Got the tents set up. I really liked this tent area.
We went down by the river after we were all set up and washed our faces, then we had dinner.
We spent some time along the river in the evening. Got back to camp just before dark and spent some time around the fire.
Great views in the morning after the sun rose.
Sun coming from around the corner.
The gang, ready to hike out.
The air got progressively smokier as we hiked out. We had had a pretty good late summer as far as smoke until that point. It got even worse back up in Bozeman after we got back.
Didn't get too many photos on the hike out.
Here's Andrew crossing the Snake at the very end.
Great to get out and see Heart Lake and not have to do it as an out-and-back! I like to complain about hot weather and lack of clouds, but the weather was pretty great and didn't make hiking difficult or anything. Thanks for reading!
Jessica drew a great spot in the new lottery system for Yellowstone this past spring, so we decided to use that good fortune to go somewhere for Labor Day that would have been in fairly high demand. Jessica was interested in Heart Lake, and she and I had never been, so we reserved a couple of sites to do a shuttle route through the area. We were joined by our friend Andrew, who you've likely seen in various other reports I've posted. We had an additional spot on the reservation, but we weren't able to find anyone to fill it.
I had to wait a little bit to post this because @Pringles did the exact same route a week before us and posted a great trip report from it.
We got started on the Saturday before Labor Day. Got our permits in West Yellowstone and sat in a lot of traffic to get in to the park. Yellowstone just yesterday announced that September visits were actually down about 36% from last year. So I guess if Labor Day visits were down a similar percentage, the traffic wasn't as bad as it was last year.
We dropped Andrew's car at the trailhead near the south entrance, then we headed to the Heart Lake trailhead. Got started by early afternoon.
It was a warm day, not a cloud in the sky. The trail was pretty dusty.
Crossing through a thermal area above the lake.
A classic view. I mean, I had never personally seen it before, but I have seen a lot of photos of it.
More thermal stuff as we get lower.
We were pretty worn out from the sun and the heat by the time we got down to Heart Lake.
We spent a good while hanging out on the large beach. Standing in the water, having a snack, rehydrating, taking photos, and listening to a loon calling out in the distance.
Witch Creek near where it flows into the lake.
I know Heart Lake is probably the most popular backcountry destination in the park, but I guess we timed our entry and arrival at camp just right so we ended up seeing only a few people. One group at the trailhead, a pair at the lake, and a single person in the distance on the shore of the lake.
We got to camp and got set up. This camp site was fantastic. Right next to a good stream and great views. Also great views from the backcountry shitter, and great views of the shitter from the food prep area
We went over to look at the lake some more as the sun was going down.
We sat around the fire for a bit after dark.
I accompanied Jessica over to the toilet as we were getting ready for bed. As I stood nearby, I saw eyes maybe 15-20 yards away reflecting back at me. My headlamp didn't illuminate whatever it was. It moved around a little but didn't stop looking. I clapped my hands together and spoke loudly, but it was still staring by the time we were headed back. Probably was a deer, but I made sure not to mention it until the next morning.
We heard an elk bugling not too far away that night too. Pretty cool.
We got up and got moving fairly quickly in the morning. We did have a little time to take it easy though.
On the trail again, headed south, looking east.
At the southwest corner of the lake. The beach was not as nice here.
From there, we headed up into the woods and spent a good while walking through thick, younger growth. We saw Sheridan Lake just barely through the trees along this part. I think we also saw what was the old trail that used to go down by the lake.
We got to a pleasant little stream, probably Basin Creek, waded across, and had lunch in the shade.
Eventually we busted out into some meadows. This is looking back behind us at Mt. Sheridan.
There was a good amount of scat along the trail. This is the only one I photographed. I wonder if bears would find it interesting that we take so much interest in finding their poop.
Approaching Basin Creek Lake.
Looking back at Basin Creek Lake.
I think it was somewhere right after we had passed Basin Creek Lake that, as we were yelling out things to keep bears aware of us, I decided to yell an obscene line from I Think You Should Leave. Immediately after I finished, we noticed on our left that a group of backpackers was sitting right off the trail having lunch. We hadn't seen anyone all day, and of course they were right there. We all acted like nothing happened, exchanged pleasantries, and went on our way.
Big meadows along Basin Creek, where Basin Creek and Red Creek come together.
We came across this mule train as we neared the Snake River. There was the guy leading the train, maybe another outfitter or two, and then a group of maybe 4 or 5 women on horseback. We assumed they were rich people going on some sort of "luxury" backcountry outing given that they had quite a few mules, and they were carrying quite a bit. They seemed a little surprised to have come across anyone, and aside from the outfitters, most of them didn't acknowledge us when we greeted them. That kind of bugged me.
Views from above the Snake River.
We got to the river and took a good break after crossing.
Jessica cooling off.
We shouldered the packs again after a while and headed to our camp site.
Getting close.
Got the tents set up. I really liked this tent area.
We went down by the river after we were all set up and washed our faces, then we had dinner.
We spent some time along the river in the evening. Got back to camp just before dark and spent some time around the fire.
Great views in the morning after the sun rose.
Sun coming from around the corner.
The gang, ready to hike out.
The air got progressively smokier as we hiked out. We had had a pretty good late summer as far as smoke until that point. It got even worse back up in Bozeman after we got back.
Didn't get too many photos on the hike out.
Here's Andrew crossing the Snake at the very end.
Great to get out and see Heart Lake and not have to do it as an out-and-back! I like to complain about hot weather and lack of clouds, but the weather was pretty great and didn't make hiking difficult or anything. Thanks for reading!
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