Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park – Hike to Mystic Falls
Biscuit Basin is part of the upper geyser basin in Yellowstone National park, about a mile and half from Old Faithful Lodge. Basin got its name from sinter deposits that look like biscuits. Hebgen Lake earthquake of 1959 destroyed all the sinter at Sapphire Pool.
Sapphire Pool
Sapphire Pool is the most popular of all the geysers, hot springs and mud pots in the basin and used to be lined with sinter before the earthquake. After the earthquake Sapphire Pool doubled in size with major eruptions reaching one hundred and fifty feet every two hours. Seventy years later Sapphire Pool is crystal clear water of blue with small eruptions and violent boils once in a while. The pools average temperature is two hundred degrees.
Jewel Geyser
Jewel Geyser’s original name was Soda Geyser given by the Hayden Expedition. The name was change by visitors to Biscuit Basin in the early 1900’s by visitors due to the jewel like sinter that lines the edge of it. As eruption begins it fills with water to the overflowing point and blows. An eruption reaches fifteen to to thirty feet, at five to ten minute intervals. Average temperature of the geyser is hundred and nine-nine degrees. Underground thermal features don’t seem to be connected to Jewel Geyser, but rather it maybe connected to Sapphire Pool.
Sinter deposits still surround Black Opal Pool, which gets its name from the ever changing color of the pool. Trail is open late May into early October depending on snowfall.
-
- Approaching Fire Hole River to cross bridge into Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park for a hike through the geyser basin and up to Mystic Falls
-
- Crossing the Bridge over the Fire Hole river to Biscuit Geyser Basin
-
- Once across the bridge the board walk goes in a loop with an exit to Mystic Falls Trailhead.
-
- Black Diamond Pool is the first Geyser in Biscuit Basin loop hike
-
- Mineral colorization around the edge of Black Diamond Pool
-
- Looking back at Black Diamond Pool and the parking area as we hike on around the loop at Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park with Get Lost in America your Yellowstone Cabin rentals experts
-
- Overflow of beautifully colored minerals heading to the Firehole River
-
- Mineral stream as I approach Sapphire Pool from a different angle
-
- Sapphire Pool, Yellowstone National Park: Biscuit Basin
-
- Looking down into Sapphire Pool
-
- Shell Spring on the Biscuit Basin Loop Hike
-
- Thermal mineral water has such a beautiful glacier blue to it
-
- Geyser at the junction of the returning loop is about to do a small eruption
-
- waiting patiently for the dance of water
-
- And the dance begins of water and steam in Biscuit Basin
-
- I stood here and shot a series of the eruption enjoying the dance of the water as the geyser played its tune
-
- Up and down to the side and all around it goes
-
- And the dance comes to end till the moment
-
- Last hot spring before heading off to Mystic Falls
Mystic Falls Hike Yellowstone National Park
About a half mile into the Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park hike is where the Mystic Falls trailhead begins. Once you head up Mystic Falls Trail, in a tenth of a mile you reach a junction where the trail changes to Fairy Falls Trail. At this junction you can make a decision to do the loop of one mile and seven tenths or do one mile and four tenths in and out hike. Taking the shorter hike brings you to the base of the falls. Mystic Falls flows over several ledges for a drop of seventy feet.
Mystic falls, Continental Divide Trail, other falls and lakes to wander through. Be Aware of the Wildlife, It’s Their Home!
-
- Trailhead to Mystic Falls, this can be a loop hike of 1.8 miles or straight to the falls in .08 miles.
-
- First split in trail, here's where you decide to hike the loop or just go to the falls leaving Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park
-
- On down the trail to the next junction
-
- At this junction on the trail to Mystic Falls, you decide whether to go to Summit Lake 7.2 miles or continue to Mystic Fall in .06 miles. This trail is a section of the CDT. The trail leading to Summit Lake into Idaho and back into Montana to the northern terminus of the CDT.
-
- Close up of the map showing the loop hike to Mystic Falls and the junction for Summit Lake on the Continental Divide Trail
-
- First views of the Little Firehole River
-
- Mystic Falls Trail opens up just below a ridge as you approach the falls
-
- Last bend in the trail before the Mystic Falls comes into view in Yellowstone National Park
-
- Mystic Falls from the first location they come into view hiking up to them.
-
- Rock stairs leading up to Mystic Falls overlook and continuation of the loop trail
-
- Rock stairs leading up to Mystic Falls overlook and continuation of the loop trail
-
- Looking back around the corner at the full length and drop of Mystic Falls in Yellowstone National Park
-
- Close up through the trees of the falls on the Little Firehole River
-
- A look at the base of the falls
-
- A look through the forest as we reach Biscuit Basin on the way back down
-
- Back on to the boardwalk to finish our hike around Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park
-
- Sapphire Pool from the junction on the loop returning from the hike
-
- Approaching Black Diamond Pool before crossing the Fire Hole River at the end of the hike as I watch the next storm roll in
-
- Last of the hot springs, geysers and mud pots as I leave the trail
Grand Prismatic Overlook
A 1.2 mile hike up to Grand Prismatic Overlook and back. Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in America at three hundred seventy feet (113m) in diameter. Temperatures can reach one hundred sixty degrees with a blue-green color that’s almost fluorescent. Around the perimeter is beautifully colored bacteria. Grand Prismatic Spring is in the Lower Geyser Basin.
Trailhead to Grand Prismatic Spring begins at the Fairy Falls Trailhead, which another beautiful destination.
Grand Prismatic Spring from the overlook trail in Yellowstone National Park
Graphic Hoodies of Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park wildlife on a sun protective graphic hoodies.
Fly Fish Yellowstone Park and Cabin Rentals
To us at Get Lost in America Yellowstone National Park is one of the wonders of the world. Surround by unique natural beauty, wildlife such as moose, grizzly bear, bison, antelope, black bear and plethora of birds. Get a unique Yellowstone Cabin Rentals and Montana fly fishing guide for the experience of a lifetime.
