Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nearest Town/Junction
Old Faithful
Summary
A short family-friendly stroll from an interesting thermal basin to a 70ft water-
fall, with the option for a longer loop hike.
The shorter, out-and-back option to the base of the falls is relatively flat and thus popular
with families. Due to a lack of shade, the longer loop hike to the overlook is best done in
the morning or late afternoon. The trail is closed from the end of the winter season until
the last Saturday of May due to the presence of bears.
The Biscuit Basin turnoff is 2 miles north of the Old Faithful overpass and 14 miles
south of Madison Junction, on the west side of Grand Loop Rd. Use the north side of
Trails Illustrated's 1:63,360 map No 302
Old Faithful
.
From the parking area, head west across the Firehole River bridge. Follow the
Biscuit
Basin boardwalk
loop 0.3 miles around to the left past several notable geysers and hot
springs. Just west of Avoca Spring, the wide, sandy
Mystic Falls Trail
(blazed but un-
signed) ducks into burned lodgepole forest dotted with wildflowers.
The undulating trail parallels, but does not cross, the
Little Firehole River
. Soon
you'll reach the signed Summit Lake/Little Firehole Meadows junction. From here it's 0.7
miles to the left on the most direct route to the falls, saving the longer overlook loop - vis-
ible on a cliff to the right - for the return trip. Heading upstream into the canyon, the path
can be muddy where seeps cross the trail. After 10 to 15 minutes the trail arrives at the
bottom of the 70ft
Mystic Falls
, 1.2 miles from Biscuit Basin, where orange hot-spring
bacterial seeps are in abundance. A series of switchbacks lead to the top of the falls.
Retrace your steps to complete the family- friendly version. If you're fit or traveling
without children, you can choose instead to complete the loop (which adds 1 mile and a
sweaty 500ft elevation gain) by continuing 0.5 miles through more burned lodgepoles to
the Fairy Creek/Little Firehole Meadows Trail junction. Turn right and descend to the
Bis-
cuit Basin Overlook
for an expansive bird's-eye view of the Upper Geyser Basin and the
1988 wildfire aftermath. Follow the switchbacks downhill to rejoin the Mystic Falls Trail,
then retrace your steps to Biscuit Basin.
Sentinel Meadows & Queen's Laundry
Geyser
Duration
2 hours
Distance
3.2 miles return
