A Stunning Journey Through Storm Point Trail in Yellowstone National Park

Discover the Hidden Beauty of Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is a landscape of staggering beauty, where bubbling geysers and towering peaks steal the spotlight. But tucked away from the crowds, nestled along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, lies Storm Point Trail—a peaceful escape into nature’s quieter side.

Storm Point Trail - credit: NPS / Addy Falgoust

The Beginning of an Adventure

From the moment I stepped onto the trailhead, I felt a shift. A moment of calm washed over me as the scent of pine filled the air. The distant lapping of waves set the tone for the journey ahead. The path meandered through a meadow of wildflowers. Their delicate hues swayed in the crisp mountain breeze, leading into a grove of towering lodgepole pines. The crunch of the earth beneath my boots harmonized with the subtle calls of songbirds hidden within the branches—a melody composed entirely by nature.

The Grand Reveal

Then, as the trees parted, the grand reveal: Yellowstone Lake stretched before me. Its deep blue waters rippled under the early evening sunlight. The horizon, fringed with distant peaks, painted a backdrop so perfect it felt almost unreal. My husband, Steve, and I basked in the views, taking pictures and enjoying the serenity of Yellowstone and its spectacular landscape.

The Magic of Storm Point

Storm Point’s coastline is a mesmerizing blend of rugged beauty and tranquil solitude. Boulders jut out into the lake like ancient sentinels, shaped by time and wind. They stand guard against the elements. Situated at 7,733 feet (2,357 m) above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high elevation lake in North America. It is roughly 20 miles (32.2 km) long and 14 miles (22.5 km) wide, boasting 141 miles (227 km) of shoreline and a surface area of 132 square miles (342 km²).

Transitioning into Night

This evening in late May, you could feel the air getting cooler as day turned into night. We’d been snapping tons of pictures and enjoying our hike, but knew we’d have to head back to the car soon to meet up with friends for some drinks. Our car was parked along the road, where cars were constantly passing by. The park was getting busier with summer around the corner.

The Unexpected Encounter

Caught up in our chat, we were completely unaware of what was about to unfold. As we emerged from the trees into a meadow, two coyotes appeared almost immediately. When I saw them, I froze. Something felt off. I thought, "What’s up with these coyotes? This isn’t normal!" Steve was still behind me, busy with his camera, and hadn’t noticed them yet. I put my hand out to stop him, signaling towards the coyotes. He thought they were cute and kept snapping pictures, unaware of the situation.

Coyote (Canis latrans) credit: NPS.gov

A Grizzly Bear Appears

One coyote was looking up the hill towards the ponds. When I followed its gaze, I saw a grizzly bear—a young one, about 30 feet away. That’s not very far, considering how fast they can move. I froze and whispered, "Bear!" Steve instantly switched into defense mode. We knew encountering a bear was possible, especially at this time of year. We had prepared earlier about what to do if it happened. Well, now we were about to find out!

Thankfully, the bear hadn’t noticed us yet. But with a young grizzly and coyotes lurking around, it was a dangerous situation. Steve was still unaware of the bear. He tried to get us to a safe spot. When he finally looked up, the wind shifted, and the bear locked eyes with him. His expression changed immediately.

The Plan of Action

Steve quietly instructed me to move towards a nearby tree. "Hold my hand. Let’s spread out and make ourselves look bigger. It’s coming towards us. Stay calm, and we’ll get to that tree first." My heart raced. Terrified, I followed his lead, not daring to look up. I focused on the ground, noticing the coyotes still circling us.

Steve continued, "We’re heading to that bluff by the tree. If it charges, I’ll take the hit and push you off the bluff into the water. You swim down and find help!" I thought, "What?! Swim where, find who?!" But I trusted his instincts. We spread out, holding hands. "Okay, it’s still coming. Stick to the plan!"

Surviving the Encounter

My legs were shaking, but then I heard, "It went into the trees! Let’s get to the car now!" Following him towards Indian Pond, we veered right, away from where the bear had come from. The coyotes were still with us, and now they seemed to multiply. I had no idea when the others showed up or why they were there.

Steve noticed too and grabbed a big stick, waving it to keep them at bay. They were getting bolder, nipping at our heels. Terrified and on high alert, I could only hope for safety. Adrenaline surged through me as I struggled to keep my fears in check.

"Move!" he shouted, "You can stay here with the bear if you want, but I’d rather not!" I tried to run, but fear rooted me in place. My legs wouldn’t cooperate, and I was terrified of triggering the coyotes’ instincts.

The Final Stretches

Eventually, I looked up. We were halfway around the pond with the car now in sight. Relief washed over me, but I still shouted, "Where’s the bear?!"

"I don’t know, just get to the car!" he yelled back. We didn’t have pepper spray; we were defenseless if the bear chose to return. But seeing the car was reassuring. As we rounded the final bend with the car just steps away, the coyotes vanished.

I glanced back at Steve and asked, "Where did the coyotes go?!" He shrugged, flying past me with the car keys, eager to escape. I was right behind him, both of us relieved to have made it back safely.

Reflecting on the Adventure

Ironically, after this incident, my fear of bears lessened. We had a close encounter and survived it. We did everything right. Later that night, we shared this wild tale with our friends at the lodge. It became a memorable story, showcasing the raw beauty and unpredictability of nature.

In the end, nature proved to be both enchanting and treacherous on our journey through Storm Point Trail.

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