Devil's Postpile Campground

Many visitors find solace in some boating trips in the Mammoth Lakes that are quite close to our beloved Postpile. Information on boating in the area can be found here, as the lakes offer a great getaway in the area (if this isn’t enough of a getaway already!). Be warned, however, of the high altitude (the Monument stands at a soaring 7,500 ft), and be sure to check out some safety tips on the NPS website.

There’s much more to the Postpile than just beautiful basalt columns and waterfalls, as visitors can scoot on over to the San Joaquin River--a designated Wild Trout River. Granted you’ve purchased your California fishing license beforehand, anglers of all abilities can keep up to five fish. Angling is available right next to the parking lot, but if you’re the solitary type then venturing further from the lot and Soda Springs Meadow is the right option for you. Seriously though, fishing alone in the wilderness is a much more incorporeal experience than we can even tell you--looks like you have to try for yourself.

Now we get to the juicy part of the geological wonder-centered park that is Devil’s Postpile Monument: the hikes. Approximately eight miles of trails snake around the Monument, taking the average visitor beneath and to the top of the awe-inspiring 60 ft formation. These trails also lead hikers through the beautiful quintessential Sierra landscape and into two falls: Rainbow and Minaret. The mystically gorgeous Rainbow falls is the highest waterfall in the middle fork of the San Joaquin River while Minaret Falls is a somewhat shorter hike with some equally beautiful scenery. Both falls are under three miles from the trailhead and are easily surmountable by the average trekker (even though Minaret Falls is just outside the Monument boundary, shh!). You can find an in depth description of the hikes here, but trekkers can also venture into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, which is chock full o’ more of the gold mine that is the natural Sierra essence. When you arrive, there’s nothing wrong with asking rangers for some advice as to the best trails to take, but if you want to skip their safety lectures you can easily find them here.

Sticking with Sierra-esque roots of equestrian exploration, horseback riding is a common activity enjoyed among many guests to Devil’s Postpile National Monument. You can find information on stock use in the area here, but commercial pack trips are available in the valley through the Reds Meadow Pack Station. Horseback riding is a great historical way to experience the landscape and we highly recommend saddlin’ up and exploring the natural elements through this old-fashioned but never out of fashion method.

This monument isn’t just looks, as climbing is a readily available option for all who visit and want to experience a more aerial participation. Information on rock climbing at Devil’s Postpile can be found here.

Swimming is a great option to cool off after the 2.5 mile hike down to Rainbow Falls. You can enjoy the thundering power of the 101 ft falls as you take a dip in the swimming hole right below, an option that we highly recommend after getting sweaty on the trek.

Bust out those binoculars and focus in on some of the 115 species that populate Devil’s Postpile National Monument. Ranging from all types of birds to the epic charismatic Sierran megafauna (black bears, coyotes, mule deer, and pine martens), wildlife within the Postpile boundaries tend to stick to a crepuscular schedule, meaning they are active at dusk and dawn. So, throw on your pack early or in the evening and get out there for these specific times if you want the greatest possibility of seeing some of the best the Sierras have to offer.