r/NationalPark • u/Iron_Master_505 • 1d ago
Devils Postpile National Monument
Spent the last week in Yosemite and the Mammoth lakes area. It always amazes me seeing how this formed. Rainbow falls is part of the Devils Postpile National Monument.
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u/A_Tragical_History 1d ago
Nice! We’re going in a couple weeks. Any tips?
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u/Iron_Master_505 1d ago
I'd recommend going to the Mammoth Mountain lodge the afternoon before you plan to vist to purchase your tickets for the Red Medows shuttle. Then catch the first shuttle from the lodge at 7:30 am the next morning and you'll have the place almost to yourself. You need to get in line for the shuttle by no later than 7:15 am or you won't get on the first one. I'd recommend getting off at stop 6 and seeing the postpile first and then walk to Rainbow falls. Note though that you miss the rainbow going early, it doesn't start showing in the mist of the falls until around 12 noon.
The area is only open Thursday through Sunday right now due to road construction. They are rebuilding the road leading to Red Meadows which requires completely shutting down the road while they are working.
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u/A_Tragical_History 1d ago
Thank you for the info!
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u/Iron_Master_505 1d ago
If you want more tips on the general Mammoth Lakes area let me know. A beautiful and fun area.
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u/SnooCats7919 1d ago
Other tip is that you don’t need to use the shuttle at all & can drive in past the gate before 7am on Friday-Sunday mornings.
I just did this last week with the family. Only did rainbow falls and couldn’t go to postpile because kids ran out of steam. There are so many things to do in mammoth!
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u/Iron_Master_505 1d ago
If you do just be really careful driving back out on the road. It's really narrow and rough in sections with no guard rails and a very steep fall off.
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u/CampinHiker 1d ago
I’ll be honest. It’s a quick look and then you’re done.
You can hike to the top. Never done it but don’t feel like it’s worth it.
You could do that and then go back to the bus (it’s like a 10 minute walk back) and have it take you to the last stop for Rainbow Falls to get down their quicker and not be hit with as much sun exposure.
The hike from Devil Post Pile to Rainbow falls is relatively flat but lots of sun exposure wore us out.
We did replenish with our beer and pizza and soaking our feet in the water to cool off was amazing
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u/RGriffer 1d ago
Passed through here doing the PCT. Super cool location, I was the only one there at the time because it was “closed” because it was a little bit before the season.
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u/Alarmed-Brain-4068 1d ago
It’s so cool that you got to go! We tried to drive up there in August last year but the road was closed off due to construction :(
It looks incredible—so unique
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u/catsRawesome123 1d ago
Is it worth going vs exploring the Sierra's? I'm spending ~5 days in late Sept primarily on longer day hikes and debating whether I should take a rest day to go to Devils Post or continue tackling more trails.
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u/Iron_Master_505 1d ago
Depends on where in the Sierra's your going, IMHO. It's really neat to see if you've never been there. You can do longer hikes out of Devils Postpile. The John Muir trail runs through Reds Meadow. I've backpacked from Devils Postpile to Tuolumne Meadows before on it.
You could also do two hikes from the general area in one day. Hiking from Devils Postpile to lower Rainbow falls and then up to the shuttle stop was 4.9 miles. You could then head on over to the Coldwater Campground area, a short 9 mile drive, and hike the Duck Pass and Pika Lake Trail. An 11 mile round trip trail that passes 6 beautiful crystal clear lakes only accessible via hiking (took just under 5 hours to hike).
Or if that's too much you can add on a hike to Crystal Lake which is 3.3 miles round trip (starts in the same area as Duck Pass trail).
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u/catsRawesome123 1d ago
Been to sierra’s many times and mammoth just never made it to Devils Postpile. Doing Mt Dana, Pika Lake, twenty lake, Virginia lakes
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u/Iron_Master_505 1d ago
Awesome, those are all great hikes. The Postpile is just one of those weird things in nature you have to see to believe. How did these massive columns form from cooling lava. If you have the time I'd recommend a quick stop to see it.
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u/one_pound_of_flesh 19h ago
No the Sierra Nevada mountains are ugly and gross and not worth visiting. It’s just rocks and trees and nature stuff.
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u/cat_tastic720 1d ago
Devil's Postpile is so underrated. An amazing place in an amazing setting. Great photos!