The north shore of the lake basin is raising and the water is moving to the south and filling the West Thumb basin as it does. Many of the inundated features lie within sight of the shore and as deep as 10-20 feet. Activity in the form of bubbles can be seen when the lake is calm, and in the winter holes in the ice are occasionally seen. Both groups are easily accessible in the winter. The road provides a pleasant journey along the shore of Yellowstone Lake, through occasionally very dense forest of pine and fir.
Vast panoramas are available for the photographer.
Restroom located at fishing bridge. Six or seven miles north of Fishing Bridge along a scenic climb and descent into the Hayden Valley is the Mud Volcano Area. This area is often described by visitors as hot, stinking, violent, scary. This region is adjacent to one of the major vents from the collapse of the Yellowstone caldera about 600,000 years ago. This region is so active that the parking area is constantly being repaired.