West Yellowstone to Lightning Lake Trail Head
Get there is as beautiful as the hike. Take US-287 / US-191 north out of West Yellowstone, Montana. Seven mile out of West Yellowstone US-287 turns to the west, left. Stay on US-287 for twenty miles to Beaver Creek Road (Forest Service RD. 985). There is a sign right before you get to Beaver Creek road. You will make a right turn going north for four and half miles. Beaver Creek Road ends in Potamogeton Park, with trailhead right at the end, with a pit toliet to help start your journey.
A Hike in Yellowstone’s Greater Ecosystem
Lightning Lake is four point one miles in from the trail head. Trail is what I consider to very moderate, only the distance in my mind turns it into an intermediate hike. Elevation gain to the lake is only thirteen hundred feet, with on short section of some switch backs. Trail wanders through several meadows with a beautiful ridge to the west and you cross Beaver Creek several times to leaving behind to the east. Just after entering the Lee Metcalf Wilderness about half mile from Lightning Lake a three hundred plus Black Bear stepped on the trail. Black Bear was thirty yards in front of us. Didn’t even know we were there till I yelled at. Bear scrabble off through the Gallatin National Forest.
This is a nice hike with great destinations for the thru hiker in you. Or you could end up in a Montana Petrified Forest or backpack through Yellowstone National Park.
Lightning Lake Trail Head, West Yellowstone, Montana
Video Trail of Trail #200 Lightning Lake, Madison River Canyon West Yellowstone Montana
Watch a video trail of the trail click here.
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventures Await
Live the adventure of a life time. Learn entomology of a spring creek, or how to become a better at casting from tournament casting instructors. Learn how to tie flies to fish spring creeks and read the water. Or if that’s not your fancy go with a guide on a Livingston, Montana spring creek, a day on the Yellowstone River or book a few days on the Kootenai River. At Get Lost in America we have you covered with a team that has over 200 years of experience in the field. Learn more about Montana’s National Forest, Rivers, and Trails Click Here.
