While working in Yellowstone National Park, there is so much to explore you don’t know where to begin. Everyday is a new adventure, living near Old Faithful there is activity going on 24 hours a day. I start this hike at old faithful, however you can get to Mystic Falls from a shorter route.

Old Faithful erupts approximately every hour and half, however it never seems to get old. Every time you see it erupt, shooting water and steam a hundred or so feet in the air is just an awe inspiring site. You would think that the smell of sulfur in the air takes your breath away but seeing the forces of nature in action right in front of you is paralyzing. Just be sure that if the wind is blowing, don’t stand down wind.

So after the beautiful display of nature from Old Faithful we start our trek down the geyser basin. To our surprise Beehive Geyser started to erupt, a nice rival to Old Faithful, just not as predictable, and only a few hundred feet away.

The geyser basin is full of geyser’s some are erupting what seems like a constant basis while others can take months even years between eruptions.

We hike all the way to Morning Glory, passing Groto geyser, we catch the end of Riverside Geyser erupt into the river. Activity is always going on, but this particular hike, the timing couldn’t have been better in seeing all the eruptions. Morning Glory is a hot spring that has beautiful colors and a deep blue center.

As we proceed down to Biscuit Basin we start the second half of the hike. There is a parking area here and the trail head to Mystic Falls begin. This trail is a loop if you take the trail to the right, in my opinion is a little more of a challenge with the uphill climb. However if you take the route to the left it is a more level hike all the way to the falls before you start your uphill journey.

We take the route on the right, and once you reach the summit of the trail you get a grand view of the geyser basin below. This is the second time I took this trail and I notice while overlooking the steamy basin, in the hills to the south is a waterfall. The first time I took the hike I did not notice it, so when I got back I broke out my waterfall book (which I lost) and discovered that this was a seasonal waterfall, only during certain times in the summer will you be able to see it. There is an ice dam that when it melts the water will start to flow.

Then we proceed down the trail and then Mystic Falls appear before you with only a small warning of sound just before the view comes in site. Don’t let the Falls capture your full attention though, if you look closely around you, you will probably find some yellow bellied marmot’s. These animals at first glance may startle you, but these friendly creatures scurry around looking for food are just a great addition, seeing wildlife while hiking is always a welcoming site. The picture below is just a view of the upper part of the falls.

I like choosing the uphill climb before the falls to where it is basically a level hike all the way back. However I am sure the opposite route would be just as enjoyable.

The hike back when we get back to biscuit basin we see some elk grazing nearby. The peaceful animal never stops chewing, only trying to fill up his gut that never seems to get full.

And the route back the geysers wasn’t as active as they was on the beginning of our journey but Groto geyser was erupting, while it was quite on first pass.

This was an easy day hike that I would recommend anyone who visits Yellowstone National Park. There are so much to see and do but this particular hike you can get a piece of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and wildlife is almost guaranteed. What more could you ask for in a couple of hours?

Tags: beautiful colors, beehive, begining, biscuit basin, challenges, faith, forces of nature, geyser basin, hot spring, journey, morning glory, mystic falls, national, old faithful, park, rivers, second half, second time, steam, sulfur, summit, surprise, trail, trek, uphill climb, water, waterfalls, wind, yellowstone, yellowstone national park