Posted in Wyoming
April 30, 2017
The One Thing In Wyoming You Will Not Find Anywhere Else In The World
There are plenty of things that are better in Wyoming than anywhere else in the United States, especially when it comes to nature and history. However, there’s one natural occurrence that really stands out in the Cowboy State, so much so, you won’t even find it anywhere else in the world.
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Deep in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, lies a rather unusual lake. This unassuming natural lake rests halfway between Old Faithful and West Thumb Geyser Basins along the park's Grand Loop Road.
Isa Lake was discovered in 1891 by Hiram Chittenden. Mr. Chittenden ran across the lake as he was out exploring the best route for developing a road to connect Old Faithful and West Thumb Geyser Basins.
This lake straddles the Continental Divide at Craig Pass. Here the mountain snows melt and the runoff flows into the narrow lake at the summit of Craig Pass.
Then something unusual happens. It transforms into a lake that is the only natural lake in the world to drain into 2 oceans. As if that isn't enough, it drains backwards.
The eastern end of the lake flows into nearby Shoshone Lake which then drains into Lewis Lake, Snake River, Columbia River and on to the Pacific Ocean.
The western end flows into the Firehole River which snakes to the Missouri River, then to the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico and finally into the Atlantic Ocean.
Isa Lake was known as the "Silver Thread Connecting Two Oceans". Here are some early visitors to Isa Lake on Craig Pass Road.
This lake has been around for over 100 years but has changed very little over the years. Pictured here is Isa Lake in 1921.....
.....and this is what it looks like today.
The drainage is opposite of what you would expect since the Atlantic Ocean is east of Isa Lake and the Pacific Ocean is to the west.
Wyoming is full of amazing and wondrous acts of nature. Isa Lake is just one of many.
For another lake that’s a hidden gem in the state, check out This Little Known Lake In Wyoming Is The Perfect Place To Get Away From It All.
