Rainbow Falls - California Waterfalls; Devils Postpile Natl. Monument, Mammoth Lakes-hike/trail/map/directions

Welcome to the best waterfall in the Eastern Sierra of California. No question about it. Rainbow Falls plunges 101 ft. off a cliff on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. A magnificent sight indeed. I have been wanting to come here for a few years now. And finally this year, we made it out to see Rainbow Falls.It was worth the wait.

It is an easy 1.2 mile hike from the trailhead down to the falls, and is well-signed the whole way. My little 3 year old girl was able to hike down and back without any problems. Once down at the falls, there are a couple excellent overlooks of the waterfall. You can also follow the steep stairs down to the bottom of Rainbow Falls, which I highly recommend as well. Going back up is a bit of a huffer if you are not used to a climb like that. Do not forget to also go down to Lower Rainbow Falls, another half-mile on the trail, which many people bypass, but it is a nice little waterfall that should not be missed either.

For photography, Rainbow Falls is best photographed at around sunset. The light is a bit flat in the morning, and the sun does not get down into the canyon until much later in the morning. If you want to see the signature "rainbow" over the waterfall (its namesake feature), then you should arrive at the falls around noon-ish.

Although there were not any right at Rainbow Falls, I was surprised to see that there were quite a number of mosquitoes in the Monument when we were here in very early June. I suspect that means that later in the summer, this place will be swamped with the little buggers. Speaking of the Monument, you should also be sure to visit the Devils Postpile, which is located a couple miles up river, but is best accessed from the ranger station. Also, be sure to visit the 2nd best waterfall in the Eastern Sierra, namely Minaret Falls, which is also found just upstream.

5 Miles WSW Mammoth Lakes CA (Elev. 7799 ft)

This Afternoon
Snow before 5pm, then snow showers after 5pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Temperature falling to around 32 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as 20. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 13 to 19 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow showers before 8pm, then snow, mainly between 8pm and 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 11. Wind chill values as low as 3. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Tuesday
Snow, mainly after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 30. Wind chill values as low as 3. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Tuesday Night
Snow likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 7. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 42. Northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 46. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 51. Northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.