Road Trip pic of the day, 7/18: What and where is it?

While driving on Road Trip 2009, CNET News reporter Daniel Terdiman came upon this eerie lake filled with dead trees. Be the first one to tell him what this place is called and why it's this way, and you'll win a prize.

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)

Update (10:18 p.m.): The answer, as many, many people guessed, is that this is Earthquake Lake, in western Montana. A massive 1959 earthquake caused a huge landslide that resulted in 28 deaths, and also suddenly created an artificial lake, swamping and killing the trees that you see in the picture.

JACKSON, Wyoming--When I began Road Trip 2009 four weeks ago, I wasn't planning on doing a Picture of the Day challenge. It was actually an idea that came to me about two weeks in, and now that I'm doing it each day, it's clear that a lot of people are finding it their favorite part of the project.

It also means that while driving, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for good candidates for the daily challenge.

So when I saw this incredible lake, nestled into a mountain valley, with all these dead trees in it, I knew right away it would eventually make for one of the daily pictures. And here we are.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to tell me what this is called, where it's located, and why it's like this. If you're the first to send me the right answers to those questions (by e-mail, to daniel dot terdiman at cnet dot com), you'll win a prize.

One new twist to the daily challenge: If you've won before, you're not eligible for the daily prize. However, to motivate you to keep sending in your submissions, even if you have already won, if you're the first person with the right answer (for any of these challenges) you'll be entered into a drawing for an even better prize. So, the more times you're the first person, the more entries you get.

Good luck folks.

For the next two weeks, Geek Gestalt will be on Road Trip 2009. After driving more than 12,000 miles in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest and the Southeast over the last three years, I'll be writing about and photographing the best in technology, science, military, nature, aviation and more in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado. If you have a suggestion for someplace to visit, drop me a line. And in the meantime, join the Road Trip 2009 Facebook page and follow my Twitter feed.

[bigmike_r16]

spirit lake Mt St Helens Oregon?

[technoeyes]

That's the first place I thought ... hehee Came here to state my choice and saw yours..

[Mweaver2k9]

I'm gonna guess it's just outside of Yellowstone and is a result of the 1988 fire that burned some 793,000 acres of of the park. I can't be more specific on the location though ><

[fallenation]

That is Quake Lake in Montana. It was created when an earth quaker caused an avalanche that sealed off the canyon. I grew up in Montana and have been there many times.

[professionaladventurer]

You need either better weather, a better camera or a better photographer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHyySFaeO9Y

[jpeeler8]

That is indeed quake lake!

http://aslo.org/photopost/data/502/medium/8Quake_Lake__Montana_edited.jpg

[Thegranule]

It is in Wyoming and the result of the Gros Ventre Landslide which wiped out the town of Gros Ventre. The landsllde trapped a layer of air under it and allowed the rocks to sweep across the valley and part way up the hill on the other side. The brown hill in the distance on the left is where the landslide detached from the hill. The rocks dammed up the lake, and the trees died as the waters backed up. Very close to Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole Wyo.

[bluesdog31]

Yep...Quake Lake Montana...slide sealed canyon causing Madison river to back up...slide killed 50+ people in Aug. of 1959.

[stonefly123]

That is Hebgen Lake, at Yellowstone. They have a real nice visitor center that tells of the quake and the aftermath.

[MTGrizzly]

Actually, Hebgen reservoir is just east of Earthquake Lake...

The visitor's center is at Earthquake Lake which is on the border of Madison and Gallatin County, where the 287 heads east...

They have a really big rock at the visitors' center - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtgrizzly/2748283652/

It's called the memorial boulder. I have no idea why...

[travelinman52]

my first thought was of Spirit Lake near Mt. St. Helens as well

[cydcharisse7]

I don't think you can call it an "artificial lake" if it's been created by natural forces.

[MEPace]

"and also suddenly created an artificial lake..."

Since the lake was created by an earthquake isn't it natural vice artificial?