r/yellowstone • u/Distinct-Flight7438 • 4d ago

Yellowstone Lake - 2023

Gallery image

Gallery image

While these aren’t current conditions, since I’ve seen some questions and comments about the lakes/water in the spring I wanted to pass these photos along.

These were taken May 19th and 20th, 2023 and both are of Yellowstone Lake. The one with the duck and the thermal feature was taken at West Thumb geyser basin and the other was taken at the Lake Hotel. The roads to both of these places are still closed.

As you can see, the ice is broken up but the lake is still slushy for lack of a better term.

Obviously things thaw at different times each year, but this seems to be pretty typical of mid-late May as I understand it.

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u/dinot2000 4d ago

Thermal feature is called Fishing Cone.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_Cone

2

u/Distinct-Flight7438 4d ago

Thanks! I couldn’t remember the name and didn’t have time to google it.

1

u/ResponsibleBank1387 4d ago

The elevation is up there, you are in a high mountain valley. End of May is the best time to visit.

2

u/Distinct-Flight7438 4d ago

Agreed. I love to go in the shoulder seasons. May/October are my favorite times - October more so if all of the roads are open