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Hike With The Wizard by AZLOT69  Overview Mystic Falls is a cascade waterfall of about a one hundred foot drop on the Firehole River. This hike can be a family friendly walk. Out-n-back one mile each way on a wide maintained cinder pathway or combine that with a much more aggressive addition of the lasso loop. This description is for the longer lasso loop and is described in a clockwise direction. Hike Take the boardwalk which passes by several geo thermal features. At the west end of the boardwalk take the left boardwalk which ends in about fifty feet. A cinder path continues to signed intersection rather quickly. Mystic Falls is straight. It's a nice stroll thru the forest with some nice rock out croppings along the way to the next intersection. Mystic Falls is straight, the lasso loop will return from the right here. Soon the river joins on the left and the sound of the falls becomes apparent. There are nice views from the base of the falls. Out and back folks should return the way they came. Lasso folks start climbing the rocks off to your right. The steep trail is narrow and takes several switch backs to a nice view of the falls from above. The trail continues on a steady climb to the summit. Descending from the summit the trail comes to a fenced overlook of the valley below and Biscuit Basin. The views are outstanding and if your timing is right you can see Old Faithful. This area can be a little confusing with no signage. As you approached this area you want to make a sharp u turn to the right here. The trail takes several switchback on the way down to the valley to rejoin the original trail. From here turn left to return to the boardwalk, then turn left again to complete the boardwalk loop. Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Mystic Falls
Little Firehole River & Mystic Falls
After spending four days in the Tetons we headed over to Yellowstone. Our plan was to do a bunch of touristy hikes and we needed a place to stay. The hotels in the area are in high demand and are ridiculously expensive. We decided to go the very cheap route and backpack. I looked over a map and liked the proximity of the Firehole Falls zone OD3. It was roughly five miles back with easy access. I applied for the permit months ahead of time and we were good to go. We picked up our permit on the morning of the hike and then hit the touristy hikes like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. We then had some lunch and headed over to our trailhead in Biscuit Basin.
We arrived at our trailhead and had to gear up for the backpack. The three of us spread out as we geared up. I was going through my stuff and couldn’t find my tent poles. I looked and looked and asked the others to look as well. They were nowhere to be found! I figure I must have left them in the KOA Cabin we stayed at the night before. More to come on this later. The weather forecast called for afternoon rain with a slight chance overnight. I said screw it and went in without my tent poles. I thought I was going to regret it but it wasn’t an issue.
The hike in went well. Biscuit Basin is a great area with lots of thermal activity. There were a bunch of tourists walking around but they thinned after we started a short climb about a mile in. We continued on through the forest that was partially burned years ago. Dark clouds formed and the rain started to fall. We put our rain gear on and kept going arriving at our campsite about an hour later. At this point the rain stopped and we set up camp. Our campsite included a fire ring with seating and a 20ft pole for hanging food. I had to improvise to erect my tent without the poles. I think I did pretty good. See pics. Evening set in and we enjoyed a campfire on a clear night. It was a real treat having a fire in a major national park like Yellowstone. I turned in later that evening and was hoping for no rain or wind that night. To my delight it was a very calm night.
We woke the next day and tore down camp and packed up and headed out. The return hike was fairly easy and we detoured over to Mystic Falls which was really cool. Once again there were a lot of tourists the final mile. We got back to the rental car and then continued our tour of the park. We headed for Yellowstone Falls and then were returning to Jackson for one final night in a hotel. On the ride back to Jackson I called they KOA and they found my tent poles! We drove straight there and picked them up. I was so happy to have them back! I never want to camp again without them!
We arrived at our trailhead and had to gear up for the backpack. The three of us spread out as we geared up. I was going through my stuff and couldn’t find my tent poles. I looked and looked and asked the others to look as well. They were nowhere to be found! I figure I must have left them in the KOA Cabin we stayed at the night before. More to come on this later. The weather forecast called for afternoon rain with a slight chance overnight. I said screw it and went in without my tent poles. I thought I was going to regret it but it wasn’t an issue.
The hike in went well. Biscuit Basin is a great area with lots of thermal activity. There were a bunch of tourists walking around but they thinned after we started a short climb about a mile in. We continued on through the forest that was partially burned years ago. Dark clouds formed and the rain started to fall. We put our rain gear on and kept going arriving at our campsite about an hour later. At this point the rain stopped and we set up camp. Our campsite included a fire ring with seating and a 20ft pole for hanging food. I had to improvise to erect my tent without the poles. I think I did pretty good. See pics. Evening set in and we enjoyed a campfire on a clear night. It was a real treat having a fire in a major national park like Yellowstone. I turned in later that evening and was hoping for no rain or wind that night. To my delight it was a very calm night.
We woke the next day and tore down camp and packed up and headed out. The return hike was fairly easy and we detoured over to Mystic Falls which was really cool. Once again there were a lot of tourists the final mile. We got back to the rental car and then continued our tour of the park. We headed for Yellowstone Falls and then were returning to Jackson for one final night in a hotel. On the ride back to Jackson I called they KOA and they found my tent poles! We drove straight there and picked them up. I was so happy to have them back! I never want to camp again without them!
2017-07-24 John9L
Mystic Falls
Yellowstone Geysers & Waterfalls
After spending four days backpacking in the Tetons, we spent a night in a KOA Cabin near Jackson. The next day we woke bright and early and made the long drive into Yellowstone. Our plan is to hike a variety of tourist hikes and then spend the night backpacking to Firehole Falls. We’ll do more tourist stuff the next day and will return to Jackson that evening.
The drive up went fairly well. We followed the main highway and made good time. Along the way we passed a large herd of bison just off the road. We continued on and had to pass through a portion of Teton National Park and then on to Yellowstone. I had an NPS Pass which was very convenient. Once we entered Yellowstone we continued north and headed right for Old Faithful where we picked up our backpacking permit. It was quick and easy getting our permit. The ranger asked if we needed to see the bear safety video and we said no. We spoke about our four days in the Tetons so he was comfortable with us not watching it.
After that we headed over to the general store and then walked over to Old Faithful where the crowds were massing for the eruption. We ended up having to wait 20 minutes for it blow but it was worth it. The geyser launches water into the air roughly 50 feet. We watched for about sixty seconds and I said that’s enough let’s go! So we pulled a Clark Griswold and walked away as Old Faithful continued to erupt. From there we drove over to Biscuit Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring and then Fountain Paint Pot. We made several short stops and did some very light hiking. The geysers and hot springs are amazing and this place is crowded for a reason. We found it best to park on the road and then walk to the attractions. The parking lots were jammed pack especially during the afternoon.
Once it hit mid-afternoon we drove back to the Old Faithful area for lunch. There were only a few options for us. We waited in a very long line at a grille by the general store. The food took a while but it was nice to chill after the go go go the past few days. After lunch we picked up some supplies and headed back to Biscuit Basin where we planned on backpacking to Firehole Falls.
Fast forward to Day 2… We completed our backpack and returned to the rental car parked at Biscuit Basin. We packed up our gear and headed north. Our goal is to complete a loop with short stops along the way and a long stop at The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We did a quick drive by along Firehole Lake Drive where we saw several more geysers including White Dome Geyser. From there we continued driving and saw several cool features from the road.
We eventually arrived at the Yellowstone Falls areas and spent an hour eating lunch and doing some shopping. After that we drove over to the very crowded Lower Yellowstone Falls parking area. The area was a zoo and took about ten minutes to secure a parking spot. Once we were parked we spent a couple of hours hiking along the rim and also hiked to the top of the lower falls. The area was very crowded but most people are slow and easy to pass. Once we had our fill we returned to the car and started the return to Jackson Hole. We timed it just right because a moderate rain fell on our drive back.
Our short trip to Yellowstone was over. The geysers and hot springs are amazing and I’m so glad we made the trip up here. Yes it crowded but it’s worth it. Just park off the road and spend the five extra minutes hiking to the start of the attractions. It’s well worth your time and effort.
The drive up went fairly well. We followed the main highway and made good time. Along the way we passed a large herd of bison just off the road. We continued on and had to pass through a portion of Teton National Park and then on to Yellowstone. I had an NPS Pass which was very convenient. Once we entered Yellowstone we continued north and headed right for Old Faithful where we picked up our backpacking permit. It was quick and easy getting our permit. The ranger asked if we needed to see the bear safety video and we said no. We spoke about our four days in the Tetons so he was comfortable with us not watching it.
After that we headed over to the general store and then walked over to Old Faithful where the crowds were massing for the eruption. We ended up having to wait 20 minutes for it blow but it was worth it. The geyser launches water into the air roughly 50 feet. We watched for about sixty seconds and I said that’s enough let’s go! So we pulled a Clark Griswold and walked away as Old Faithful continued to erupt. From there we drove over to Biscuit Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring and then Fountain Paint Pot. We made several short stops and did some very light hiking. The geysers and hot springs are amazing and this place is crowded for a reason. We found it best to park on the road and then walk to the attractions. The parking lots were jammed pack especially during the afternoon.
Once it hit mid-afternoon we drove back to the Old Faithful area for lunch. There were only a few options for us. We waited in a very long line at a grille by the general store. The food took a while but it was nice to chill after the go go go the past few days. After lunch we picked up some supplies and headed back to Biscuit Basin where we planned on backpacking to Firehole Falls.
Fast forward to Day 2… We completed our backpack and returned to the rental car parked at Biscuit Basin. We packed up our gear and headed north. Our goal is to complete a loop with short stops along the way and a long stop at The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We did a quick drive by along Firehole Lake Drive where we saw several more geysers including White Dome Geyser. From there we continued driving and saw several cool features from the road.
We eventually arrived at the Yellowstone Falls areas and spent an hour eating lunch and doing some shopping. After that we drove over to the very crowded Lower Yellowstone Falls parking area. The area was a zoo and took about ten minutes to secure a parking spot. Once we were parked we spent a couple of hours hiking along the rim and also hiked to the top of the lower falls. The area was very crowded but most people are slow and easy to pass. Once we had our fill we returned to the car and started the return to Jackson Hole. We timed it just right because a moderate rain fell on our drive back.
Our short trip to Yellowstone was over. The geysers and hot springs are amazing and I’m so glad we made the trip up here. Yes it crowded but it’s worth it. Just park off the road and spend the five extra minutes hiking to the start of the attractions. It’s well worth your time and effort.
2017-07-24 John9L
Mystic Falls
Little Firehole River
It's expensive to stay anywhere in this part of the world. From campgrounds to the shadiest of motels, there is nothing economical. Except backpacking. The downside is you have to hike somewhere and carry all your stuff. Oh yeah, that would be a downside if this was South Mountain. But it's Yellowstone, so it's actually a pretty big upside.
Five miles to our campsite in a nice grassy grove along the Little Firehole River and a 15-foot waterfall. There were some skitters, but I didn't seem to have nearly the same problem as Kyle and John had with them. In the morning I took a short trip out to look for wildlife in the meadow, but came up empty, so we headed back to the car to rejoin the tourist circuit.
Five miles to our campsite in a nice grassy grove along the Little Firehole River and a 15-foot waterfall. There were some skitters, but I didn't seem to have nearly the same problem as Kyle and John had with them. In the morning I took a short trip out to look for wildlife in the meadow, but came up empty, so we headed back to the car to rejoin the tourist circuit.
2017-07-24 chumley
Mystic Falls
Touristas in Yellowstone
After our adventure on the Teton Crest Trail, I realized I had opted to prepay for a full tank of gas on the rental car. It seemed stupid not to use it, so we set out on a 400-mile driving adventure through the land of Boo Boo and picinic baskets.
Not much to say. Pictures don't do it justice. As much as I dislike touristy spots, they tend to be that way because they are in fact pretty impressive to see. I'd put this place in that category. I bet it would be nice in winter though...
Not much to say. Pictures don't do it justice. As much as I dislike touristy spots, they tend to be that way because they are in fact pretty impressive to see. I'd put this place in that category. I bet it would be nice in winter though...
2017-07-24 chumley
