Devils Postpile & Rainbow Falls

Operating Season: Mid-June through mid-September; visit the Devils Postpile NPS website for more visitor information

Distance: 5 miles roundtrip

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Easy-to-Moderate

Fees: Shuttle bus $8/adult, $4/child over age 3. Purchase tickets at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. Learn more about the shuttles here.

Starting Point: Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. You will park here and take a shuttle bus into the Monument area. From the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center in Yosemite, the drive is about one hour to reach Mammoth Mountain.

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TRAIL NOTES

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After seeing the winding, elevated road, you'll be thankful you're not driving. Take the shuttle bus from Mammoth Mountain Activity Center to the ranger station (stop #6), then hike the short 0.4 miles to Devils Postpile. Signs posted in the area wi

After seeing the winding, elevated road, you'll be thankful you're not driving. Take the shuttle bus from Mammoth Mountain Activity Center to the ranger station (stop #6), then hike the short 0.4 miles to Devils Postpile. Signs posted in the area will share more details about the unique geology of the formation.

Escape the crowds and find the trail to ascend to the top of the Postpile, where you can get up close and personal with the hexagonal columns (and in our case, it's wildlife residents). It's a fascinating formation, appearing more like floor tile th

Escape the crowds and find the trail to ascend to the top of the Postpile, where you can get up close and personal with the hexagonal columns (and in our case, it's wildlife residents). It's a fascinating formation, appearing more like floor tile than a natural creation. This is also the perfect spot for a picnic lunch or snack.

After exploring Devils Postpile, follow the many signs towards Rainbow Falls. A portion of the hike emerges from the forest to this open landscape, a result of the 1992 Rainbow Fire, which burned over 8,000 acres of the Inyo National Forest. However

After exploring Devils Postpile, follow the many signs towards Rainbow Falls. A portion of the hike emerges from the forest to this open landscape, a result of the 1992 Rainbow Fire, which burned over 8,000 acres of the Inyo National Forest. However, fire is an important ecological process, and you'll witness forest regrowth first hand.

Continue the hike along the middle fork of the San Joaquin River. The trail crosses the historic Pacific Crest Trail, where you may meet up with intrepid travelers on their months-long journey.

Continue the hike along the middle fork of the San Joaquin River. The trail crosses the historic Pacific Crest Trail, where you may meet up with intrepid travelers on their months-long journey.

The roar of the falls will be difficult to miss as you approach the Rainbow Falls viewpoint. Enjoy the 101-foot waterfall, but don't miss the two layers of volcanic rock in the surrounding cliffs. The waterfall is wearing away the softer layer of ro

The roar of the falls will be difficult to miss as you approach the Rainbow Falls viewpoint. Enjoy the 101-foot waterfall, but don't miss the two layers of volcanic rock in the surrounding cliffs. The waterfall is wearing away the softer layer of rock at the bottom, creating an alcove. On a sunny, clear day, a rainbow should welcome you. Head back to the ranger station, or follow signs to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead shuttle stop (#9), shortening the hike to 3.8 miles instead of 5 miles.

CURRENT WEATHER

MAMMOTH LAKES WEATHER

To save this hike and our other recommended hikes in Yosemite National Park, visit our curated list on AllTrails, where you can learn about other trails in the park and create your own lists to reference through their mobile app. Note that this hike is designated as 5.9 miles roundtrip in AllTrails, but the official National Park Service brochure measures the roundtrip distance from the ranger station to Rainbow Falls at 5 miles, which we have included here.