Mystic Falls Trail

In 1872 Yellowstone National Park was established as our nations first National Park. Visited by millions each year the park is probably best know for its natural beauty, animal sightings and the many thermal features. None as famous as Old Faithful.

What you may not know is that Yellowstone also boasts some great waterfalls. One of my favorites is Mystic Falls. The hike to Mystic Falls is rated easy and is a 2.4 mile out and back trail. The trailhead is located at the back of a small thermal area called the Biscuit Basin. The trail starts on a boardwalk that makes a loop through the thermal area where it exits into the forest. This small boardwalk loop provides beautiful views of several small hot springs and one small but active geyser.

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I love this short hike as it is easy and leads through a variety of ecosystems. After making your way through biscuit basin you will enter forested area. Most if not all of the trees along this stretch are Lodgepole Pine trees and are young growth trees due to the Yellowstone fire in 1988. After a half a mile through the Lodgepole the trail splits. If you want the most direct route to the falls bear left. Taking the right split will eventually loop you around to the top of Mystic Falls but you will first climb to an over look where you can see Old Faithful in the distance and geyser basin. I have done this loop clockwise in the past and it is a nice hike.

The second reason I like this hike is the wild flowers. There seems to be several unique species right off the trail. Some of these include Pine Drop, Monkshood, Lewis Monkey Flower and the unique Dwarf Yellow Monkey flower. Look for the Dwarf Yellow Monkey Flower before the split on the right when the trail opens up. One other unique flower found here is the Fringed Gentian which is also known as the official Yellowstone flower.

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After the split the trail begins a gradual climb as it follows a river. This is a beautiful section and a good place to see the American Dipper doing deep knee bends on a rock below.

The final reason I enjoy this hike is of course the waterfall. After the small climb Mystic Falls will come into view.

Mystic Falls is an impressive and beautiful waterfall tucked away in the back of a canyon. Once you reach a view point of the falls you can enjoy it from a distance or if adventurous scramble along the river bank to the base of the falls.

This is not a hard scramble but you may get a wet foot. In addition be careful as to where you put your hands as there are hot springs coming out of the rock walls in various locations. Some are very hot and could leave a nasty burn.

Once at the base of the falls take time to do a little rock hopping, take a selfie and maybe even sit in a pool of water infused with the thermally heated natural spring water. The orange streak in the photo below is one of the hot springs flowing down the rock face and into the water.

This is by far one of my favorite short hikes in the park. I have probably hiked it a dozen times and each time I find myself losing track of time exploring its natural beauty. If you are in the Old Faithful/Biscuit Basin area make to visit Mystic Falls you won’t be disappointed!

~Slow-LEE hiking