What is special about Yellowstone Lake you might ask? While everyone has heard of the most photographed features of Yellowstone like Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful, Lake Yellowstone and the Fishing Cone is more of a hidden gem.
The Fishing Cone at the shore of Lake Yellowstone is one of the famous thermal features in Yellowstone National Park. Apparently it got its name from early visitors to the park who would fish for trout while standing on the rim of the cone.
In a previous post about West Thumb Geyser Basin, where the Fishing Cone is located, I promised a dedicated post for catching the sunrise at the cone simply because it was so beautiful and something you shouldn’t miss out on.
ISO 100, f/22, 1 sec
The Fishing Cone is easy to find. Park at the parking lot for West Thumb Geysir Basis which is along Yellowstone Lake southeast of Old Faithful. Follow the boardwalk down towards the lake and you will find it lakeside.
ISO 50, f/22, 5 sec
Remember to bring your tripod and enjoy the light shifting from blue to purple to yellow before the sun finally rises above the mountains on the other side of the lake. At this time the crowds are likely to start rolling in and you can drive back to camp and enjoy a well deserved breakfast.
Great pictures! Superb…
Thank you so much Thom! 🙂
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Maria! 🙂
Love these sunrise moments you captured!
Thank you so much for the generous comment! This was really a special spot in the park 🙂
Super-duper!!
Thank you super-duper-much! 🙂
Really nice photos, a view most people will not see because most tourist do not get up at sunrise. Very pretty. Jim
Thank you so much Jim! On vacation the first thing on your mind is not to get up before the crack at dawn – but there is such a beautiful light as reward if you do:)
Yellowstone – a place I definately would like to see when next time in America. Beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Awa!
Beauiful, ethereal images, Inger!
Thank you so much for the generous comment Pete, much appreciated! 🙂
Beautiful images! I love the soft pastels. It’d be really interesting to hear about your processing if you ever want to write about it – I love what you do with your images – you have such a beautiful, unique style!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the lovely comment! When it comes to processing I am still learning – I haven’t really found what I would call my style yet so there is probably still a bit of variety when it comes to the way I process them:)
I definitely think you have a style! Almost like watercolors – just beautiful!
Beautiful pictures. Well done!
Thank you so much Greta! Much appreciated:)
Although I have been to Yellowstone and explored the thermals with great fervor, I never knew anything about the fishing cone. Thanks for the intro, Inger, and the terrific photos.
Maybe you passed it without knowing it was called the fishing cone? I can just imagine how it was in the old days when people would just dip their freshly caught fish into the steaming hot cone – dinner is served! Amazing:)
They are very beautiful your photos.
The lights are beautiful.
I wish you a great week.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Hervé! It is worth getting up before sunrise – the light is so beautiful when the sun is rising:)
Fantastiska bilder, magiskt!
Tusen takk for så hyggelig kommentar! 🙂
Thanks for getting up early to get this lovely shots.
janet
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Janet! I guess getting up before the crack of dawn isn’t what you think of as vacation:)
I’m a morning person anyway, so that doesn’t cause me problems. 🙂
Brilliant photo and good information.
Thank you so much Marylou! 🙂
surreal… fantastic captures!!
Thank you so much Alexandra! 🙂
Beautiful, tranquil pictures :)This soft, morning light reminds me of the aurora borealis. Not that I have ever seen it with my own eyes 🙂 Just someone else’s photographs 🙂
Thank you so much Sonia! We used a long shutter speed to get the tranquil look in the photo. I actually saw the northern lights (aurora borealis) when I was home for Christmas this year – I always find it fascinating!
These shots are amazing. Surreal, like others have commented. So much to do, see and experience in Yellowstone!! Which season did you visit?
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Liesbet! We visited late August/early September. Once advantage with going a bit later is that the sunrise is later as well so you don’t have to get up at 4 am to catch the sunrise! Another is that majority of the crowd is gone at that time as well:)
We loved West Thumb too – beautiful pictures.
Thank you so much Anabel! So much to see and experience in Yellowstone. West Thumb is just one of many must-see locations:) What was you favourite Yellowstone moment?
Impossible to choose! I marvelled at every example of geothermal activity, though possibly the most enjoyable day overall was hiking the canyon.
Very pretty, Inger. I remember going there, only it wasn’t in the morning. I guess we need to go back! 😃
Amazing pictures. Looks like waking up early to catch the sunrise was definitely worth it 🙂
Beautiful photographs once again, with lovely light!
Stunning photos. Like a fairy tale
Beautiful!
I really like the pic of the walkway, I love the look of the sun on the wood, such a warm, golden hue!
So very beautiful.
It is so beautiful Inger. Great tips on arriving early and camera use to capture it. Wow!
Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful misty morning shots. They are ethereal and peaceful – great job!
Love the shifting colours of light that you managed to capture! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing these moments with us.
I know Yellostone Park were was Yoghi bear, the famous cartoon by Hanna&Barbera 🙂
best regards from Italy
amazing pic , like 3D CGI..but its real
Breathtaking landscapes, and truly the light seems to be different, almost kinder. Thank you. : )
The first one is pretty dreamy. Love it. And all the others too.
Stunning shots.
awesome 🙂
Your work is wonderful – looks like a gorgeous place!
Another amazing feature of Yellowstone captured so beautifully. Wishing you a Happy New Year and safe travels! xx
Beautiful light!
Stunning colours. I enjoyed the stillness of your post. Perfect for Sunday.
Excellent photos and story
The colours and the light you captured of the fishing cone and its surroundings are simply amazing.
paradisial pictures!
The light! Wow, I love your photos. I would love the chance to go to Yellowstone.
magic