An ultra-popular hike to a stunning waterfall.

Statistics

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hrs

119

m

119

m

5

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Easy

Description

The hike to Rainbow Falls follows a wide, extremely popular sandy trail.

Despite being located in the John Muir Wilderness Area, this short hike is an ultra-popular tourist jaunt.

When you reach the overlook for Upper Rainbow Falls, you’ll see why: Rainbow Falls is a stunning 101-foot-tall cascade in a rugged rock canyon.

Bring your cameras: this waterfall is extremely photogenic! To best capture the colorful rainbow mist, try to reach the falls at midday when the sun is highest in the sky ([Source](https://www.visitmammoth.com/adventure/rainbow-falls)).

During peak tourist season, you’ll have to board a mandatory shuttle at the Mammoth Adventure Center in order to reach the trailhead.

Personal vehicles are allowed up the road to the trailhead outside of the shuttle season. Sources: https://www.mammothtrails.org/trail/78/rainbow-falls-trail/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Postpile_National_Monument https://www.visitmammoth.com/adventure/rainbow-falls