Mountain Lakes
Exploring the Beartooth Mountain Lakes
The Beartooth Mountains are home to hundreds of stunning natural lakes. Most of the lakes were formed by glaciation during the last ice age. A few were formed by natural dams created by alluvial fans. Others were formed by a river being blocked by a natural landslide. However the lakes originated, they all contribute beauty to the landscape and provide unlimited opportunities for recreation. more info
Deep Lake, one of the largest and hardest to get to lakes in the Beartooths, was created by a landslide. On its way to the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, Littlerock Creek used to flow through a canyon with oversteepened walls cut by glaciation. A huge release of energy caused the steep wall to crumble, halting the journey of Littlerock Creek. The landslide created an 800-foot-high dam, thus forming Deep Lake. Deep Lake is one mile long and is known for its excellent fishing.
East Rosebud Creek is the source of several sparkling lakes in what has been referred to as the "most spectacular and beautiful of the Beartooth canyons." East Rosebud Creek flows through a canyon with steep walls similar to Yosemite, and forms a series of lakes along its journey. Fossil Lake, located near the summit of what was once known as Pavement Pass, was left behind by a glacier and is the source of East Rosebud Creek. From Fossil Lake, East Rosebud Creek flows on and merges with other tributaries. It gains enough speed to feed Dewey and Twin Outlets lakes. Other lakes East Rosebud Creek visits
include: Duggan Lake, Big Park Lake, Lake at Falls, Rainbow Lake, Rimrock Lake, and Elk Lake. The final destination is East Rosebud Lake. What makes East Rosebud Lake unique is that it sits at a transition point in the Beartooth Landscape. Upstream from the lake is the steep and rugged canyon. Downstream the landscape is more mellow with sage covered prairies and foothills. East Rosebud Lake is also the stopping point for motorized vehicles.
Another Beartooth Lake with a fascinating history is Mystic Lake with its hydroelectric plant. The Beartooth Mountains are attractive areas for hydroelectric plants because its canyons produce excellent head and flow—two ingredients necessary in producing power. However, because the canyons are so remote and the climate is harsh, it is not cost effective to produce electricity in the Beartooths. Despite all the obstacles, the Montana Power Company took a risk and started construction of the Mystic Lake Hydroelectric Plant in 1916. The Montana Power Company wanted to find a source of energy that would serve the growing Yellowstone Valley. Mystic Lake, located on a steep headwall above West Rosebud Creek, was chosen. However, in order to justify the expensive costs of the project, the level of the lake needed to be raised and the water had to be drawn from the bottom to increase its head and storage capacity. Thus, the Montana Power Company blew out the bottom of Mystic Lake. A dam was built along with two 11,500 kilowatt generating units. The hydroelectric plant continues to produce energy.
Today, Mystic Lake is a huge recreational area. In 1964 Lyle Piatte, a power plant manager, stocked the lake with 18,000 trout eggs, and the fishing continues to be good. Boating is also popular. Mystic Lake also serves as a trailhead to many rock climbs and hiking journeys.
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