This is the view from my first night's campsite (8R5) looking at the southwest corner of Shoshone Lake. Please be advised that the circuit around this lake requires a half dozen or so fords, ranging from thigh deep to chest deep when I was there. The scariest was fording Moose Creek on the southern part of the trail, which for me was running with a very strong current and at one point was chest deep, due mainly to the heavy snowfall during the winter of 1996-1997 responsible for all the drainages running higher than normal levels. The fording of Lewis Channel was the longest, but it has little current and a very stable small-pebble bottom surface, making it an easy ford.
The Shoshone Lake Geyser Basin at the western end of the lake is one of the world's most important basins with over 70 geysers, including 12 foot by 5 foot Minute Man Geyser seen steaming in the left of the photo. This basin is far less popular than other geyser areas due to the miles of walking required to reach it. The trail meanders right through the basin. Immediately beyond the basin heading south, you encounter a nearly mile long marsh which has you ankle to knee deep in water for the entire marsh's length.
This photo dramatically demonstrates the ravages caused by the fires of 1988. Taken along the east shore of Shoshone Lake, it also shows the greenery (lodgepole pine seedlings, wildflowers, and bushes) reestablishing beneath the stark charred tree trunks. This sight inspired a poem by me, included below.
Premature Eulogy for Yellowstone National Park