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Upper Rainbow Falls
Hiking Trail
Easy
2.39 mi
433 ft
An ultra-popular hike to a stunning waterfall.
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 Written by Greg Heil
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 Written by Greg Heil
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Crest Trail Climb | 0.36 mi | 151 ft | 7.6% |
| Pacific Crest Trail Climb | 0.64 mi | 210 ft | 6.2% |