Snowy hike to Mystic Falls in Yellowstone National Park

The trail to Mystic Falls is one of the easiest in Yellowstone National Park so usually it's not the best way to beat the crowds. When an autumn snow storm drops a half foot of snow though it can be pure solitude.
The hike begins with a tour through Biscuit Basin, which was originally named for geyserite formations around a few thermal features that visitors thought resembled biscuits. The most prominent "biscuits" surrounded Sapphire Pool however, in 1959 the Hebgen Earthquake had a major effect on this area. The day after the earthquake Sapphire Pool was filled with muddy water that didn't disappear until 1971. More surprising is that four weeks after the earthquake Sapphire Pool began to have enormous eruptions, some of the most powerful to ever happen in the park in fact. The eruptions which were 120+ feet tall and just as wide blew most of the "biscuits" away from the pool. Eventually the eruptions began to subside with the last two happening in 1991 and at a height of "only" 20 feet. The pool is back to being as beautiful as ever and not nearly as dangerous as it has been.
Filmed: October 2021
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