Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
room chimney fell through the roof; the chimney was rebuilt in 1987. Then in 1988, the North
Fork fire came so close to the inn that people all over the country were holding their breaths
that it might be saved. Fierce winds blew embers across the area from the western to east-
ern hills, and some cabins and employee lodgings were burned. Fortunately, heroic efforts by
firefighters, the presence of the huge parking lots, and a last-minute wind shift saved this de-
lightful landmark. We must also thank the outdoor sprinkler system wisely installed the year
before.
Major restoration completed in 2008 brought Old Faithful Inn up to modern safety stand-
ards and restored it closer to its 1904 appearance.
Hikes from Old Faithful Village
In addition to the walking tours of the Upper Geyser Basin (described in the next section),
two other short walks begin from Old Faithful Village.
Take the
Mallard Lake Trail
for a short and easy walk to the
Pipeline Creek Group
of pools and mud pots. The hot springs have had this name at least since the 1920s, when a
pipeline ran nearby. The lake is almost 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away and a 700-foot (210 m) climb.
Pink monkeyflowers
(Mimulus lewisii)
along the Mallard Lake Trail.
You'll find the trailhead behind the Old Faithful Lodge cabins. Cross the footbridge over
the Firehole River. In about 0.5 mile (0.8 km), there's a short side trail at the left toward four or
