Trail Run Project Logo

The first 2 miles of this trail offer runners the finest views of spectacular Shoshone Lake!


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

8.3

Miles

13.3

KM

93%

Runnable

8,047' 2,453 m

High

7,793' 2,375 m

Low

942' 287 m

Up

874' 267 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Views

Description

This 8.3 mile trail begins were the DeLacy Creek Trail reaches the northeast corner of Shoshone Lake and ends at an intersection with the Shoshone Lake Trail on the west side of the lake, near Shoshone Geyser Basin.

From the DeLacy Creek Trail, you follow the beautiful beach west across the north end of Shoshone Lake. Youll have little trouble negotiating the crossing of DeLacy Creek. The first 2.5 miles along the lakeshore are the main attraction of this trail. Youll enjoy the finest views runners can get of the lake, which is best experienced by canoe. Along the way, you'll pass several excellent campsites (8S2 & 8S3). Shoshone Lake, at 8,050 acres, is the second largest lake in the park and is the largest backcountry lake in the lower 48. Its deep too, with a maximum depth of over 200 feet. Fishermen try their hand at catching a healthy population of brown, lake, and brook trout.

At the 2.1-mile mark the North Shore Trail passes a junction with the Pocket Lake Trail, a fishermans spur trail that climbs 400 feet to a small lake. At the 2.5-mile mark the trail swings away from the shore and enters the trees. From here the North Shore Trail travels 5.8 more miles through fairly uninteresting lodgepole forests.

At the 4.3-mile mark the trail crosses a number of tiny creeks. If you look to the left (south) you should be able to see the lake. A short off-trail side trip can be taken to Shoshone Lake and on to Windy Point, the narrowest spot on the lake. First, cross the small meadow to reach the lake. Then follow the shoreline 0.4 mile to your left (southeast) to reach the point, where youll find several canoe campsites. From here, the views of the western section of the lake are superb.

As you continue along the North Shore Trail, at the 5-mile mark youll pass three short spur trails. The first two lead to backcountry campsites (8R2 & 8R3) and the third leads to the Cove Patrol Cabin. Each spur affords more nice views of the lake.

From the Cove Cabin Trail, youll re-enter the lodgepole forest and continue another 3 miles to the end of the North Shore Trail at a junction with the Shoshone Lake Trail (near the end, passing another spur trail to campsite 8R5). From the junction with the Shoshone Lake Trail, to your left (south), less than 1/4 mile away, lies Shoshone Geyser Basin. To your right (north) the trail leads 9 miles to Old Faithful.

Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Carter

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#29890

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#513

in Wyoming

#29,890

Overall
2 Views Last Month
890 Since Sep 10, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
50%
50%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Beautiful beach on the north shore of Shoshone Lake near the mouth of DeLacy Creek.
Mar 24, 2016 near West Th…, WY

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.