Here we are, only four miles from Mammoth Hot Springs and we have two waterfalls in two miles. Ah, Yellowstone, with magnificent, pounding waterfalls along the Yellowstone River and these smaller yet glorious falls so close to the road. These two falls, Undine and Wraith, come from creeks flowing from mountains to the west. Undine Falls drops Lava Creek which continues about a mile flowing into the Gardiner River. The Gardiner continues an additional five miles ending as it flows into the Yellowstone River. Driving from Mammoth we pull in the first large parking area on the left. Walking down about 8 steps then ahead about 20 steps and here we are. This is so easy everyone must stop and enjoy again and again!
Lava Creek Trail takes us on the other side of the falls, but this side offers the best view. Do you see the trail on the cliff edge? Undine Falls drops about 60 feet with three distinct plunges. The creek continues steeply downhill until it reaches the Gardiner River.
It is also amazing in the winter, but be careful on those eight stairs. Snow covers the area making a slide instead of steps and it gets icy. It is a challenge not to slide all the way to the stone wall at the end of the overlook, and not always on your feet. You are hearing that from the voice of experience–ouch.
We drive down the road a mile to a dedicated pullout for the half-mile walk to Wraith Falls. This falls graces Lupine Creek, a tributary of Lava Creek. Lupine Creek begins in the forests of Blacktail Plateau and travels seven miles to its end at larger Lava Creek. Wraith Falls is about .4 mile from that confluence.
Wraith Falls is a 100-foot cascade falls, but the rock is flows down is more like a slide than steep incline. My first visit to the falls was in August of 2014. The short walk started on a boardwalk then we walked through a meadow that was more like a marsh. Even late summer, we were a muddy, mucky mess. Still, the falls was beautiful.
The last bit of this walk is up stairs, and the entire hillside is filled with wild roses. Areas where there are gaps in the flowers, there are lots of buds. This area smells wonderful. You cannot escape the smell of roses.
Walking the trail again in May of 2016, the boardwalk has been extended over the mushy meadow and we did not get wet at all. Thankfully, because early May is really wet and what was mucky in August is a pond in May. No roses yet, an overcast day, but the falls is still a treat.
Where else can you invest about 90 minutes and get such stunning vistas? It just keeps me coming back and as we have said before–everyone together now–there is never a bad day in Yellowstone!
See you soon . . .
