Devil's Postpile National Monument (Postpile and Rainbow Falls)

     I had been wanting to visit Devil's Postpile National Monument, for quite some time, and as I was on vacation with my family that week, the time had finally arrived.  I had seen the grandiose pictures of the volcanic basalt columns of the Postpile, the hexagonal shapes of their tops, and free flowing Rainbow Falls for many year; and ever since then, that area has inspired me.  While no grand summits were attained, no dramatic gorges crossed, no steep gullies and chutes climbed, it was still a very enjoyable trip; perfect for a family day hike, or a relaxing day in nature; both of which were for me.  This monument is small, only about 800 acres in size, and during the summer months a shuttle is required to reach these places, which departs from Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge, on the slopes of the drier Eastern Sierra, over the Pacific Crest, and ends in Red's Meadow Valley (There are 10 stops in total----Tickets are $7/adult, $5/kid), on the water-graced Western Slope of the range.  

Devil's Postpile from Ranger Station Headquarters (Stop 6):  

Category: Easy
Miles: 1
Elevation Gain: 150'
Location: Devil's Postpile National Monument
Directions: (SEE ABOVE LINK)

The Trail:  From the small Ranger Station (water and restrooms), take the trail south over a small meadow, littered with ground squirrels and chipmunks, and into forest.  You get some beautiful views of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River below you.  In a very short time, you will find yourself at the headwall of the magnificent formation, truly a wonder in Design.  Read there how fire, ice, and water shaped this jumbled rockface into the beauty it is today.  To continue this excursion take the spur trail, just before the headwall, 100' to the top of the Postpile.  This section of trail is a bit steep, but is over within a few hundred yard.  Return the way you came.   

Hiked: 6/26/2015, Madera County, CA , Shuttle Fees Required 

Trail signage 

Trail to the top

The view from the top of the cliff 

Rainbow Falls from Stop #10

Category: Easy
Miles: 2.5
Elevation Gain: 300' (all on the return) 
Location: Devil's Postpile National Monument, Inyo National Forest, Ansel Adams Wilderness 
Directions: (See above link) 


The Trail:  After arriving at the trailhead, begin your decent into the lush pine forest around you, and in a quarter mile you cross both the legendary John Muir Trail and the infamous Pacific Crest Trail.  You trip today though, is hardly as daunting.  The elevation continues to decline and soon you will find yourself surround by a toothpick forest, burned vegetation from an 8,000 acre fire in 1992--the extent of the damage and slow recovery of this section testifies to the short growing season in the mountains due to the gripping power of winter.  After passing by this section, you cross into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, a piece of the heavens left on earth, crowned by magnificent glacier carved peaks, rolling meadows, and roaring streams.  Unfortunatly today, you will only be getting a glimpse of the true grandeur of this place, although you will attain some spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada's most picturesque sub-range, the Ritter Ranger, a fixed with Mount Ritter and Banner, along with their glaciers, and the sky-scraping Minarets.  Turning back towards the trail though, after you enter the wilderness it is only a short stroll down to the Waterfall overlook, where the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River can be seen leaping in bounds in the form of 101' Rainbow Falls.   You can continue on down to the base of the falls if you like, but remember it adds another 100' to your 300' coming back.  Return the way you came, just...slower.  

Hiked: 6/26/2015, Madera County, CA , Shuttle Fees Required 

Garter Snake

An evacuation....really on a 2.5 mile trail?! 

The damage

The Ansel Adams Wilderness (my 11th wilderness!)

Looking towrds the Sierra Crest and Mammoth Mtn

Rainbow Falls

The Ritter Range

A quaint grove of Quaking Aspen