See Devils Postpile & Rainbow Falls Along 1 Trail
Mammoth Mountain is a popular hub for snowboarding, skiing, and hiking. During the winter, this place gets flocked with tons of people looking to shred the icy slopes. In contrast, summer months bring numerous hikers in to explore the many trails of Mammoth Lakes or Devils Postpile National Monument.
Whatever the season, Mammoth Mountain is always busy with varying activities. If you’re looking to hike in a beautiful forested landscape, paired with unique geological formations and a raging waterfall, then make the stop at Devils Postpile National Monument on your next trip to Mammoth.
Devils Postpile National Monument resides on the backside of Mammoth Mountain. Making it an accessible adventure to add to your itinerary should you already be in the area.
Many hikers who visit generally see both Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. Both iconic natural wonders of the park, resting only 2 miles away from each other.
Obviously, how could you not make time to see both when they’re on just one trail?
Location Details / How to Get There
There is only 1 road that takes you to the entrance of Devils Postpile and that’s highway 203. Follow the 203 till you reach Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. This is where you’ll stop to park should the roads be closed ahead.
Roads inside the monument may be closed during the winter due to snow. In summer, shuttles are the only vehicles allowed in the park, which help control crowds. Majority of those visiting Devils Postpile will have to use the shuttle systems to access the park. Fall and spring usually being the only time to actually drive your own car into the grounds.
We visited at the tail end of summer when the shuttles were still in operation. Honestly, it wasn’t nearly as stressful as we thought it would be. Pay a small fee and use the map provided to easily make your way around the park.
If you’re not camping in Mammoth, the best place for nightly accommodation would be in the city of Mammoth Lakes. There’s numerous restaurants, shops if you’re interested, and a delicious brewery we always visit, Mammoth Brewing Company.
Shuttle Details
(rates subject to change)
- $8 adults
- $4 for children under 12
- Free for children 2 and under
- Pickup – Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center
- Single Road – 10 Stops Total
- Stop #6 Devils Postpile Trailhead
Once you exit at stop #6 for Devils Postpile, you’ll essentially be at the trailhead at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station. There are bathrooms and water spouts nearby should you need to use either.
Make sure you fill up with enough water, especially for the hotter seasons! Hike smart and follow our tips on how to stay hydrated while hiking. Here are our top 3 insulated water bottles that we use on every hike. Lastly, don’t forget proper hiking shoes, your feet will thank you for it.
Hike Details – Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls
- Distance: 5 miles (more or less)
- Elevation: 500 ft
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
This post specifically covers the hike from Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls. You do not have to combine both into one hike if you don’t want to. Some only see Devils Postpile and turn back, others see Devils Postpile and then take the shuttle to Rainbow Falls. Skipping the hiking aspect entirely.
(But we highly recommend you don’t do that and enjoy the hike!)
If you do opt out of the combined hike, Devil’s Postpile is Stop #6 and Rainbow Falls is Stop #9 on the shuttle.
Starting The Hike to Devils Postpile
The first portion of the trail is relatively flat which takes you down to Devils Postpile. Already you’re immersed in a beautiful forest with mountains on both sides and a steady river to the right.
Follow the trail for a quick 0.4 miles to reach the base of Devils Postpile. That was easy!
Woah, this is one strange geological occurrence. Certainly not something I’ve seen anywhere in nature before! From the base, you’re peering up at tall cliffs of charcoal colored pillars of rock. Each column having a hexagonal appearance, bending and stretching in an interesting fashion.
At the very bottom are pieces of rock that have broken off over time, now sitting in one large pile surrounding the base. So what the heck are we looking at?
Geology of Devils Postpile
Devils Postpile is made up of columnar basalt that dates back 100,000 years. These odd formations were created by lava flow from a vent that spewed hot lava into the surrounding area of Upper Soda Springs. Naturally, the lava flowed down across the landscape until it reached a natural dam, assuming a glacier moraine.
Over time, the lava continued to fill up the valley behind the dam, creating a huge lava lake. As deep as 400 feet in some parts!
As this lava lake cooled, the molten lava started to solidify into hard rock. Eventually cracks, or joints, began to form due to the inner stress of the lake from all the cooling and contracting. These joints are what makes up the unique, but beautifully shaped patterns we see in the rock today.
With the help of freeze-thawing and earthquakes, the columns are knocked down to the ground below so you can see the extraordinary pattern within. Definitely not your average cliff-side!
Head Up to the Top!
Gazing up from the bottom offers the best perspective of just how grand this crumbling cliff is. Although, for a different perspective you can head up the hill of Devils Postpile and stand along the top of the rock.
To get to the top, backtrack up the trail a little to find a small trail on the right noted by a sign. This takes you up a steep(ish) but quick path to the top of the cliff.
I highly recommend you do this short trek up as it not only offers an exclusive view of the top of the columns but a lovely view of the mountains off in the distance.
From here you can walk on the cracked basalt towards the edge of the cliff. There is no guard railing so be cautions when near the drop off.
To be able to see both perspectives from the bottom and the top is a wonderful opportunity.
It’s fascinating seeing each individual column beneath you and where all the joints have formed.
When you’re ready you can continue on down the trail connecting back to the main trail, or you can head back the way you came.
Continuing to Rainbow Falls
Once you’re done viewing Devils Postpile, continue down the same trail to start heading to Rainbow Falls. It’s just a quick 1.5 – 2 miles to reach the falls. And the best part? It’s all downhill! Well maybe not the best part, but I sure do love hikes that don’t involve too much incline.
As you follow the trail, you’ll be taken through a lush forest shaded by tall trees. Perfect for a hot summer afternoon! We slowly cruised along smelling the fresh pine and listening to the faint sound of birds in the background. A truly enjoyable escape into nature.
Once you’re in the last third of the hike, you’ll begin to hear the sound of running water. Peel off to the right for a scenic view of the river flowing below. Not far down the path is a fallen log which made for a perfect nature bench overlooking the river. An ideal spot for a snack break!
**PLOT TWIST**
So I’m not going to go into too much detail about this, but this spot is actually very special to us.
We both sat on the log for a quick break to munch on some power bars. Nathan then told me he wanted to read a poem he wrote for me. He continued to reach for his phone to read what he had written. (Let me just say it was the most adorable and romantic poem ever, even cuter since he was so nervous reading it).
Once finished, Nathan stood up, laughed awkwardly, then proceeded to get down on one knee, and you guessed it…he popped the question!! (or “proposed” in more traditional terms)
And obviously, I said yes! Actually more like, “Yeah of course dude!” Which I think are the words I managed to spit out in such a crazy moment.
Despite his knee being jammed into a sharp rock on the ground and there being a sketchy steep drop right behind him, it was everything I could have asked for. So yes, this was the beginning of our engagement!
After such a heart warming and surreal experience, we managed to continue down the trail to Rainbow Falls. (In complete total bliss of course)
Reaching Rainbow Falls
As you near the falls, you’ll notice the forest starts to thin where you can see vast views of the valley below. The lack of trees is from a large fire that burned the area back in 1992.
You know you’re getting close when you start to hear the rushing sound of the river. Make an eventual right to reach the overlook of Rainbow Falls.
Unlike many other waterfalls in Southern California, Rainbow falls is HUGE. This 101-foot waterfall is part of the San Joaquin River and is the highest waterfall in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Specifically named Rainbow Falls for the rainbows that appear in the mist on a sunny day.
Compared to other falls in California, Rainbow Falls is incredibly powerful. The water flows over an acute, vertical drop to the pool below creating an impressive amount of noise.
When we were here, the trail to see the falls from below was closed. Meaning you could only view Rainbow Falls from this overlook. This may be different for you depending on when you visit. This overlook is a popular spot, so expect to share the view with others.
Once you’re done gawking at this monumental waterfall, head back up the way you came to finish the trail.
How to Finish The Hike
There are 2 main options on how to head back to your car. Depending on how much time you have or how tired you are, you can take the short way or the long way back.
The long way involves hiking back to Stop #6 past Devils Postpile.
The short way is much easier, taking you up to Stop #9 or #10 where the shuttle picks you up at the end of the road.
We opted for the shorter route.
Backtrack until you reach the junction that you had previously passed on the way to the falls. Follow the split right to head towards both Stop #9 & #10. You can get picked up from either stop, although Stop #10 is the Reds Meadow Resort which has food and snacks should you want any.
Photo from HighSierraTrails.com
This part of the trail is mainly uphill and can be a bit steep. Still, I think it’s a much better alternative compared to hiking all the way back to Devils Postpile.
After about 1 mile, you’ll reach the shuttle stop which will take you back to Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center.
A 2 for 1 Deal at Devils Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile National Monument is an amazing nature destination not far from Mammoth Mountain and Mammoth Lakes. Luckily, we were already camping in Mammoth Lakes which made the journey to Devils Postpile a very simple one. This easy 5 mile hike takes you to 2 incredible natural wonders with very little gain in elevation.
Devils Postpile is a remarkable feat of nature created over the course of thousands of years. Pair that with Rainbow Falls, a breathtaking waterfall that is one of the biggest waterfalls in all of central California.
A 2 for 1 deal along a incredibly scenic hike. Don’t miss Devils Postpile National Monument on your next trip to Mammoth Mountain.
Looking for more epic hikes and nature spots nearby? Check out our post on these 7 must see beautiful lakes in Mammoth Lakes. A quick 20-30 minute drive away!
Have you been to Devils Postpile National Monument? What was your experience like? Tell us in the comments!
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