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A delightful trail that skirts Lewis Lake


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Map Key

6.4

Miles

10.3

KM

Point to Point

7,866' 2,398 m

High

7,788' 2,374 m

Low

371' 113 m

Up

361' 110 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Description

The Lewis River Channel Trail begins on the West Thumb to South Entrance road, just north of Lewis Lake. The trail ends at its junction with the South Shore Shoshone Lake Trail. This delightful trail skirts the north shore of Lewis Lake, picks up the Lewis River Channel, and closely follows it to Shoshone Lake. It can be combined with the Dogshead Trail to make a nice 11.4 mile loop.

The trail begins in the trees, but at the 1-mile mark crosses a small creek, enters a beautiful meadow, and eventually reaches the shore of Lewis Lake. The lake covers over 2,700 acres and is Yellowstones third largest. It is 108 feet deep and supports a population of brown, lake, and brook trout. It was named after Captain Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark fame.

After briefly following the shoreline, the trail reenters the trees and continues west until it reaches the Lewis River Channel at the 2.6-mile mark. Here it turns right and closely follows the channel another 3.8 miles to Shoshone Lake. The Lewis River Channel connects Lewis and Shoshone lakes. Since Shoshone is only 11 feet higher than Lewis Lake, the river forms a channel that kayakers and canoeists use to paddle to Shoshone Lake. It is the only river in Yellowstone where boating is allowed. Chances are you'll see canoers on this trip. Watch closely, you may also see osprey, bald eagles, and other water foul that frequent these waters.

The trail above the channel is quite scenic affording nice views of the river and the surrounding area. Youll also notice the remaining effects of the 1988 fires that burned in this area, particularly when the trail wanders from the channel and gains elevation. The fire here was spotty, burning the crowns of some trees and the trunks of others, while leaving some unaffected.

At the 6.4-mile mark, Shoshone Lake is reached. At 8,050 acres, Shoshone is the second largest lake in the park and the largest backcountry lake in the lower 48. Its deep too, with a maximum depth over 200 feet. It was named for the Shoshone Indians who frequented the lake before Yellowstone became a park. Here the trail intersects the South Shore Shoshone Lake Trail. To the left, the South Shore Trail fords the Lewis River and continues 9 miles to Shoshone Geyser Basin. To the right, the South Shore Trail travels .2 miles to an junction with the DeLacy Creek Trail and the Dogshead Trail. To make a loop (and shorten it by 1.5 miles) continue to the right and follow the Dogshead Trail back.

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

  3.3 from 4 votes

#27426

Overall
  3.3 from 4 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
25%
Trail Rankings

#488

in Wyoming

#27,426

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,455 Since Sep 9, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

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Photos

A kayaker walks his kayak up the Lewis River Channel through a section that flows too fast to paddle against.
Mar 26, 2016 near Grant V…, WY

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Check-Ins

Sep 9, 2022
Ben Jensen
I did the full dogshead/Lewis-channel trail loop. So much fun. Ideal for trail runners.
Oct 3, 2021
Penny Siperly
With William, Pete & Ross
Jul 5, 2020
Jinger Burton
Jul 27, 2019
Irene Makropoulou
Not really worth it.. we stopped right were we reached the river. Thousands of mosquitoes on the way and a quite boring trail-comparing with others — 1h 05m
Mar 8, 2017
Trevor Bowers
Jun 22, 2016
Coty Weston
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