How Hard Is The Devil’s Postpile Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Hiking to Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls is

fairly easy

, but there is some vertical gain and you'll want to take your time to learn about the geology and soak in the views.

Do you have to hike to Devils Postpile?


No permit is required to day hike in Devils Postpile National Monument

. However, there is a fee for a shuttle or a vehicle on the road into Devils Postpile National Monument.

Is Devils Postpile worth visiting?

Devils Postpile National Monument is

one of the most unique attractions in Mammoth Lakes

. Its fascinating natural history and spectacular setting in the midst of the Sierra Nevada mountains make it deserving of a top spot on your Mammoth Lakes itinerary, and a must-stop spot on an Eastern Sierra road trip.

Is Rainbow Falls hike hard?

Discover this 4.9-mile out-and-back trail near June Lake, California.

Generally considered an easy route

, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Why are Devils Postpile hexagonal?


The basalt columns – like the giant's causeway in Ireland – formed naturally into hexagonal columns

. The columns then came into contact with a massive moving that left highly visible glacial striations and a glacial polish. Three geologic features make the Devils Postpile unique.

How far is Devils Postpile from Mammoth?

How far is it from Mammoth Lakes to Devils Postpile National Monument? It is

7 miles

from Mammoth Lakes to Devils Postpile National Monument. It is approximately 13.8 miles to drive.

Can you drive to Devils Postpile?


When the Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow Shuttle Bus is not running, you may drive your vehicle into the valley

. Keep in mind that the road is narrow, steep, and descends almost 1,500 vertical feet from the Minaret Vista Station, where visitors pay a standard amenity fee of $10.

How do you get to the Devils Postpile?


From U.S. Highway 395, drive 10 miles west on S.R. 203 to Minaret Vista and then another 8 miles on a paved, steep mountain road

. Please note that this road is single lane for approximately 3 miles. Most visitors must park at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and use the mandatory shuttle.

What's the Devils Postpile?

The Devils Postpile

National Monument
Location Madera County, California, United States Nearest city Mammoth Lakes, CA

Is Devils Postpile Open 2020?

Alert, Severity, closure, Reds Meadow Road and Devils Postpile National Monument are

closed for the season

.

Can you drive to Sotcher Lake?


After Shuttle Service stops for the season you may drive down to Reds Meadow for a fee and access the trailhead via the Sotcher Lake trailhead

.

Can you swim in Rainbow Falls TN?

Rainbow Falls is clearly visible from a multiple overlooks located on a popular trail, and if you're brave, you can even climb down to the base where

there is also a nice swimming hole

.

How long is the walk up Clingmans Dome?

The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep

half-mile

walk to the tower at the top. On clear days views expand over a 100 miles. Unfortunately, air pollution often limits viewing distances to under 20 miles.

How long is the trail to Clingmans Dome?

The

half-mile

trail to the summit of Clingmans Dome is paved, but very steep. During the short hike, you will gain 332 feet, which makes the climb gradient almost 13%! The Clingmans Dome hike does feature several benches along the way if you need to catch your breath during the ascent.

What kind of rock is Devils Postpile?

Devils Postpile National Monument is renowned for its spectacular display of

columnar-jointed basalt

(a common formation of multiple columns of rock). Although smaller, it rivals the columnar-jointing displays at Fingal's Cave in Scotland and Giant's Causeway in Ireland.

How tall is the Devil's Tower?

General Information. How tall is Devils Tower? Devils Tower is

867 feet from its base to the summit

. It stands 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and is 5,112 feet above sea level.

What is the youngest unit of the western foothills?

The youngest rocks, the

Foothills Terrane

, are on the west side of the belt and on the bottom of the stack. This is the opposite of what we normally see in sedimentary rocks.

Can dogs go to Devils Postpile?


Pets are allowed in the campground and day use areas as well as on trails but must be on a leash at all times within the monument

. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Disposable plastic bags are provided at the monument trailhead for your convenience. Dogs are allowed on leash on the shuttle buses.

How long is the shuttle ride to Devils Postpile?

6 to Devils Post- pile Formation Devils Post- pile Formation 0.4mi/0.6km one-way ~

15 to 20 min

~ Easy – Wide, level trail through shaded lodgepole forest. Moderate, steep hike to the top of the Postpile.

Is Uber in Mammoth Lakes?

Is there Uber or Lyft in Mammoth Lakes? Until recently no, however

there is a few Uber vehicles driving in Mammoth Lakes

. I would not expect the same level of service as major cities, as there may or may not be a driver available at the time you need to be picked up.

Why is Devils Postpile closed?

As part of this effort, Devils Postpile National Monument is considering the future of the park's 20-site campground. The 20-site campground has been closed since 2016

to address infrastructure repairs, safety needs, and the impacts of intense winters

.

What caused Devils Postpile?

GEOLOGIC STORY

Current studies suggest that the Devils Postpile was formed less than 100,000 years ago when

a cooling lava flow cracked into multisided columns

. Other well-known examples of COlumnar-jointed lava are the Giant's Causeway in Ireland and Fingal's Cave in Scotland.

Is Devils Postpile Open 2021?

The entirety of Devils Postpile National Monument is

CLOSED to all public entry beginning September 1, 2021

.

What is the elevation at Devils Postpile?

HIGH ALTITUDE TIPS

elevation above sea level, and the elevation at the base of Mammoth Mountain near the Main Lodge is 8,900 ft. Devils Postpile is at

7,500 feet

.

What fault line runs through Mammoth?

The split-apart rock of the Mammoth Lakes Earthquake Fault testifies to the Earth's mighty forces, and serves as a record of a dramatic period of geologic unrest.

How do you hike from Rainbow Falls to Devils Postpile?

Past the stumps, the trail turns sharply uphill and approaches the other end of the trail across the top of Devils Postpile. At 0.6 miles from the start (or 0.75 miles from the start via the upper route), pass the southern junction between the two trails and continue south following signs for Rainbow Falls.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.