Mystic Falls Trail. Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park

     If you are short on time and only have time for one hike in Yellowstone, this hike should be at the top of your list of considerations.  The hike includes three examples of why people come to Yellowstone in the first place.  There is an area of thermal activity, a waterfall and a grand overlook.  The hike is very close to the Old Faithful area.  The beginning of the Mystic Falls Trail is located at the rear of the Biscuit Basin thermal area.  There are boardwalks in the biscuit Basin that allow you to get up close and personal with the thermal feature.  You can gaze into turquoise pools and marvel at bubbling, gurgling geysers.  The colors and patterns of the thermal run off are a sight to behold. 

     The trail head is located at the back of the thermal area.  The trail follows the Little Firehole River up a canyon.  The trail is mostly fat with a little gain in elevation just before you reach the waterfall.  If you just go to the water fall, it is an easy two mile round trip.  The Mystic Waterfall is about 70 feet in height as the water plummets from the Madison Plateau.

     At the waterfall you have the option of continuing up the hill to the top of the Madison Plateau. The trail eventually leads to a overlook that offers amazing views of the Upper Geyser Basin and the Old Faithful area.  The hike to the overlook and back is about a three mile loop.  There is five hundred foot gain in elevation around the loop.

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