Pelican Creek Nature Trail
Length: 0.5 miles, one way.
Elevation change: Trailhead at 7,750 feet (No substantial elevation change).  
Trailhead: Located about 1.5 miles east of Lake Junction on the East Entrance Road at Pelican Creek bridge.

The Pelican Creek Nature Trail-outside of the Mt. Wash-burn Trail-is one of the most rewarding hikes for its length in Yellowstone. It is especially rewarding as a dawn or evening hike. The trailhead is located at a turn out just southwest of the Pelican Creek bridge. The trail actually follows Pelican Creek to the inlet of Yellowstone Lake. From the trailhead, the trail crosses a marshy area via a wooden boardwalk, then crosses a lodge pole forest and ends at the obsidian-sand beach of Yellowstone Lake. While walking along Pelican ;;l§i Creek, keep an eye out for otters If II that frequent this section of the river. Ducks, too, can be found dipping or diving along this stretch. At the inlet are several sand spits, which can either be slightly submerged or above water, depending on the level of the lake. This area is a favorite for pelicans-the namesake given to the Creek by the 1864 James Stuart prospecting party-cormorants, and common mergansers. From this point, evening light and sunsets are especially enchanting, and photographic opportunities are unmatched.

Storm Point Trail
Length: 1.6 miles, loop.
Elevation change: Trailhead at 7,760 feet (21-foot gain). 
Trailhead: The trailhead is located 2.8 miles east of Lake Junction on the East Entrance Road at the Indian Pond (formerly Squaw Lake) parking area.

Storm Point is a good, short, early or late day stroll to a vantage point overlooking Yellowstone Lake and shore. Mornings and evenings generally are calmer, as mid-afternoon winds from the southwest race across the lake unabated, producing choppy water with frothy white caps. The wind then funnels through Mary Bay, to the east, and becomes even more violent.

During the mid-1980s, the University of Michigan explored the bottom of Mary Bay using a tethered submersible camera mounted in a small vacuum-cleaner-sized submarine. What they discovered at the bottom of the bay were hot springs bubbling through the sandy bottom and aquatic creatures nearly twice their normal size for a mountain lake. Deeper in the lake, they discovered geysers that erupt just as their land counterparts do.

The flat meadow just before the lake is renowned for its wildlife. Several dusty or muddy, dish-shaped, barren patches in the meadow are used by bison, or buffalo, as wallows. Grizzly bears also frequent this meadow, especially in early spring. Elk and occasionally moose utilize the meadow in the fall.

On this site on July 28, the 1871 Hayden survey arrived at Yellowstone Lake. "The entire party were filled with enthusiasm," wrote Ferdinand Hayden, the expedition leader, in his journal. The party set up camp on the quiet waters of Mary Bay and proclaimed it "one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever beheld.... The great object of all our labors had been reached, and we were amply paid for all our toils."

Pelican Creek Nature Trail
Length: 0.5 miles, one way.
Elevation change: Trailhead at 7,750 feet (No substantial elevation change).  
Trailhead: Located about 1.5 miles east of Lake Junction on the East Entrance Road at Pelican Creek bridge.

The Pelican Creek Nature Trail-outside of the Mt. Wash-burn Trail-is one of the most rewarding hikes for its length in Yellowstone. It is especially rewarding as a dawn or evening hike. The trailhead is located at a turn out just southwest of the Pelican Creek bridge. The trail actually follows Pelican Creek to the inlet of Yellowstone Lake. From the trailhead, the trail crosses a marshy area via a wooden boardwalk, then crosses a lodge pole forest and ends at the obsidian-sand beach of Yellowstone Lake. While walking along Pelican ;;l§i Creek, keep an eye out for otters If II that frequent this section of the river. Ducks, too, can be found dipping or diving along this stretch. At the inlet are several sand spits, which can either be slightly submerged or above water, depending on the level of the lake. This area is a favorite for pelicans-the namesake given to the Creek by the 1864 James Stuart prospecting party-cormorants, and common mergansers. From this point, evening light and sunsets are especially enchanting, and photographic opportunities are unmatched.

Storm Point Trail
Length: 1.6 miles, loop.
Elevation change: Trailhead at 7,760 feet (21-foot gain). 
Trailhead: The trailhead is located 2.8 miles east of Lake Junction on the East Entrance Road at the Indian Pond (formerly Squaw Lake) parking area.

Storm Point is a good, short, early or late day stroll to a vantage point overlooking Yellowstone Lake and shore. Mornings and evenings generally are calmer, as mid-afternoon winds from the southwest race across the lake unabated, producing choppy water with frothy white caps. The wind then funnels through Mary Bay, to the east, and becomes even more violent.

During the mid-1980s, the University of Michigan explored the bottom of Mary Bay using a tethered submersible camera mounted in a small vacuum-cleaner-sized submarine. What they discovered at the bottom of the bay were hot springs bubbling through the sandy bottom and aquatic creatures nearly twice their normal size for a mountain lake. Deeper in the lake, they discovered geysers that erupt just as their land counterparts do.

The flat meadow just before the lake is renowned for its wildlife. Several dusty or muddy, dish-shaped, barren patches in the meadow are used by bison, or buffalo, as wallows. Grizzly bears also frequent this meadow, especially in early spring. Elk and occasionally moose utilize the meadow in the fall.

On this site on July 28, the 1871 Hayden survey arrived at Yellowstone Lake. "The entire party were filled with enthusiasm," wrote Ferdinand Hayden, the expedition leader, in his journal. The party set up camp on the quiet waters of Mary Bay and proclaimed it "one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever beheld.... The great object of all our labors had been reached, and we were amply paid for all our toils."