How to Get There
The falls are located behind Biscuit Basin, near the Old Faithful Area. After about .5 miles, the trail takes a fork. The left-hand fork goes directly to Mystic Falls and is about one mile long. It is an easy hike. The right-hand fork also goes to the Falls, but is nearly two miles long and is uphill the first half-mile. A great view awaits at the top of the ridge. The entire loop is about three miles long.
Brief Description
For those who love waterfalls in particular, one of the best short waterfall hikes is Mystic Falls. The longer route offers a fantastic view of the Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful Area) and the ridgeline which runs to the west. Mystic Falls itself is a spectacular waterfall which cascades about 70 feet down off the Madison Plateau along the Little Firehole River. It is a bit unique among Yellowstone’s waterfalls in that thermal activity is visible from the bottom all the way to the top of the falls, with clouds of steam rising from seemingly dozens of places at the top, sides and bottom of the waterfall. Although one will likely encounter other hikers on the trail, the Mystic Falls trail is one of Yellowstone’s many quick getaway trails.
Mary Mountain has two trailheads: the eastern trail (noted above) climbs gradually up over Mary Mountain and the park’s Central Plateau to the Nez Perce trailhead between Madison and Old Faithful. Elk and bison can sometimes be seen in the distant meadows. The trail through Hayden Valley is often difficult to follow as bison regularly knock down the trail markers. The western trailhead is a few hundred feet north of the Nez Perce Creek pullout. Mary Mountain makes for a long day hike, and you will need to have a vehicle awaiting you at the opposite trailhead. For shorter day hikes, the trail affords good opportunity to walk as far as you wish and then turn back. Be aware that Mary Mountain trail traverses grizzly territory, so look for posted signs concerning grizzly activity.