The two Green River Lakes are on the Green River as it flows down from the Wind River Mountains in Southwestern Wyoming. The Green River is a major tributary of the Colorado River which it joins many miles downstream. A visitor, as they drive up to the lakes, will see a stunning and awesome view of the Lower Green River Lake, almost surrounded by mountains. This view was placed on the Wyoming license plate in 2017.
The lower Green River Lake in front of White Rock (on the left) and Squaretop Mountain (on the right). The picture was taken later in the day with the sun setting. The wind has died down, allowing reflections of the mountains in the water.
The geology of this area is very complex. _1_ Glaciers were instrumental in creating the beauty of the Green River Lakes and the valley that holds them.
There are fantastic views of and from all sides of the both of the Green River Lakes .
The lower lake of the Green River Lakes on a bright sunny day in July.
Zoomed in view of steep cliffs southwest of Squaretop Mountain.
A large high mountain ridge runs along the West side of the Lower Green Lake. The ridge is on the flank of Osborn Mountain.
The West shore of the lower Green River Lake. It is hard to see, but there is a trail above the shore.
Twin Flowers
Columbine
Phlox blooming in May. These are everywhere but these particular flowers were at the Kendall Warm Springs. These flowers also come in white.
Twin Pods at the Kendall Warm Springs.
A gravel road, approximately 18 miles long, passes through the Bridger-Teton National Forest on its way to the Green River Lakes. As gravel roads in Wyoming go, this gravel road is not that bad. But, it is rugged and bumpy enough to slow travel and allow proper enjoyment of the scenery. This road follows the Green River on one side and dense woods and hills on the other. Eagles and elk are not uncommon sights on the drive. Small herds of pronghorn (commonly called antelope) are often seen in the grasslands on the other side of the Green River. In the spring especially, the flowers are abundant.
Three female elk by the road side appear unkempt as they shed their winter coats.
A herd of pronghorn on the sagebrush fields seen across the Green River. This is in May, and the pronghorn have migrated up from lower elevations as the snow has melted.
The scenery changes as you get closer to the lakes. The mountains get bigger and more grand. The Green River is visible on the lower left.
A wide bend of the Green River in the foreground. The side of Osborn Mountain is in the background.
On the way to the Green River Lakes, the gravel road passes the outlet stream of the Kendall Warm Springs. An endangered fish species, the Kendall Warm Springs Dace (Rhinichthys osculus thermalis) _2_ , is found only in the water of these springs. The US Fish and Wildlife Service _3_ monitors and protects the Kendall Warm Springs Dace which is the only fish living in the 984 ft long stream that leaves the springs and carries the water to the Green River.
These springs are a few miles past the National Forest entrance. The gravel road goes over a bridge that crosses the outlet stream of the Kendall Warm Springs. It is easy to pass by the springs without noticing them. The posted signs just past the bridge are not very visible. Just after the bridge, there is a place to park on the left. A small sign restricts any further off-roading through the area.
The dace is a fish less than 2 inches long and hides in the dense plant growth in the stream. The fish live in a warm springs not hot springs as the water from the springs is an almost constant warm 85˚ F all year long. The water temperature of the stream has been measured at 78˚ F in the winter at the water fall where it discharges into the Green River. The outer edges of the stream have been measured as low as 52˚ F. _3_
A plaque mounted on a rock telling about the dace, a species of fish that lives only in the warm outlet waters of these springs.
Steps have been taken to protect the environment of the Kendall Warm Springs Dace. A fence keeps cattle out and helps maintain a pristine environment. Originally when the gravel road was built before 1934, there was no bridge. Instead the outlet stream passed through a culvert under the road. This culvert divided the habitat in half for the Kendall Warm Springs Dace. The habitat wasn't very big to begin with. The removal of the culvert and construction of the bridge reconnected the habitat. _3_
The warm springs is a protected area for the endangered Kendal Warm Springs Dace. Historically, visitors swam, bathed and may have even washed clothes in the spring waters. The soap and detergents degraded the water quality.
Water from multiple warm springs on the side of a limestone ridge flow into a common outlet stream. In May, early spring at this elevation, green grass, warmed by the waters of the springs, marks the exact location of individual springs and the paths of the water.
In early spring there are numerous flowers around and in the stream, in part because of the warmer temperature of the water. By themselves, these flowers provide sufficient reason for a stop at the warm springs.
A pretty waterfall with a vertical drop of about 10 feet is at the end of the outlet stream where it discharges into the Green River. The falls isolates the outlet stream from the Green River. Fish from the Green River cannot enter the outlet stream. But the isolation is one way only, fish, especially larval fish, are carried by the swift moving stream into the Green River almost daily. _3_ The mineral deposits around the stream and falls contributes to their beauty.
The waterfall from the outlet stream into the Green River. This waterfall certainly prevents any fish in the Green River from entering the outlet stream of the Kendall Warm Springs.
The spring water cascades down the hill, flowing into the stream.
Snow remains in the middle of May. Lush green grass marks the path of the warm water from two of the springs.
Spring water cascading.
A moth near the stream.
Looking away from the stream in the general direction of the Green River Lakes.
Small flowers growing in the stream. Vegetation growing in the water provides cover for the fry of the Kendall Warm Springs Dace.
Small butterfly in the grass near the stream. It is one of several species of Blue butterflies in the area. Different species of Blues can be difficult to identify.
Dilapidated building by the trailhead.
The walls of the building remain intact.
