Mallard Creek Trail

From the trailhead, the trail enters a lodgepole pine forest heavily burned by the 1988 fires. You'll see forest fire effects on just about all of this trail. It is fascinating to watch as this forest rejuvenates itself. Expect to climb steadily through hilly terrain for much of Mallard Creek Trail. This trail was originally designed as a winter ski trail from Old Faithful and it still is used by skiers each winter. Hardy skiers follow the bike path to Morning Glory Pool, then the old roadbed to the Biscuit Basin area, and finally the Powerline Ski Trail to the Mallard Creak trailhead. Then it's up to the lake and back to Old Faithful (approximately 9 miles each way). The trail gains 800 feet of elevation in the first 2.25 miles before crossing the intermittently dry stream bed of Mallard Creek. The trail climbs an additional 260 feet in the next mile where it tops out at 8260 feet. The final 1.25 miles of the trail runs up and down along a ridge high above Mallard Creek, on the left, with occasional nice views to the northeast. Soon the depression holding Mallard Lake comes into view. The trail ends when it intersects the Mallard Lake Trail, 0.2 miles above the lake. Mallard Lake is a nice-sized 32-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 feet. It was stocked with fish in the 1930s and 40s, and still maintains a small population of cutthroat trout. There are three backcountry campsites at the lake. Hikers can return on the same trail, or if you have arranged a car shuttle, hike to Old Faithful via the 3.7-mile Mallard Creek Trail. Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.