Inyo National Forest · California

Pct - Pacific Crest Trail

26 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 2000.3 · trail class 3 · typical grade 8-10% · tread 36-48 inches wide · hiking, horse, bike

Rainbow Falls Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Visitors to the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. Call Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for more information (760) 924-5500 · season Road closed in winter. to

This sunny and open, moderate hike leads to spectacular views of Rainbow Falls, within Devils Postpile National Monument. The waterfall often has a rainbow in the mist from the falls and is a popular day hike or destination for horseback rides.

Backpackers with permits for Fish Creek trail may choose to start their trip from Rainbow Falls Trailhead.

Why do you see so many uprooted trees in Reds Meadow? A powerful wind event on Nov. 30, 2011 toppled thousands of trees in the Reds Meadow Valley. Click this link to view photos, maps and information.

Restrictions - No campfires above 10,000 ft and additional specific locations, see Maps of Campfire Restrictions.<br />- Camping is not allowed at Rainbow Falls.<br />- Camping within the boundaries of Devils Postpile National Monument is limited to designated campground sites.<br />- Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash (overnight trips).<br />- Overnight wilderness trips require a wilderness permit. Look at the area map to determine trail names. Quota is in effect from May 1 to November 1.<br />- Ansel Adams Wilderness regulations apply.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Inyo National Forest

All 659 trails in Inyo National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.