Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
11.9/5.1 Mallard Creek Trailhead
on the east. This unmaintained trail reaches Mallard
Lake in about 4 miles (6.5 km) and connects with the Mallard Lake Trail to descend to Old
Faithful in about another 3.5 miles (5.5 km). Mallard Lake is known to geoscientists for
the Mallard Lake
dome
[GEO.25],
an area where the
magma
under the Yellowstone Caldera
comes unusually close to the surface.
12.5/4.5
For a short time in the spring you can see a waterfall cascading over the edge of
the Madison Plateau if you look southwest while traveling south along this part of the road.
Waterfalls enthusiast Mike Stevens, coauthor of
The Guide to Yellowstone Waterfalls and Their
Discovery
(2000), calls it Unfaithful Falls for its temporary nature and proximity to Old Faith-
ful.
13.8/3.2 Biscuit Basin
is named for the biscuit-shaped geyserite knobs that were
formerly more prevalent in this area. In addition to the three-quarter-mile (1.2 km) board-
walk around the basin, there are other trails starting from here. A recommended trail goes to
70- foot (21 m) Mystic Falls starting near Avoca Spring (see next page).
Geyserite formations like biscuits once surrounded Sapphire Pool
(W. H. Jackson historic photo).
he
Artemisia Trail
starts opposite the Biscuit Basin turnoff (look for the sign
“Artemisia” with a trail symbol). Also recommended, this trail takes you southward past sev-
eral interesting geysers and hot springs. It joins the paved walkway at Morning Glory Pool in
