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)

Overnight
Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 36. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Rain likely, mainly between 11am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 31. North northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values as low as 29 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Thursday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday
A chance of rain before 11am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 5pm, then rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Snow level 9200 feet lowering to 8200 feet in the afternoon . High near 46. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain likely before 8pm, then snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday
Snow likely before 2pm, then rain showers likely. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday
A chance of rain showers and snow. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level rising to 8600 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain. Snow level 9000 feet lowering to 8400 feet after midnight . Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.