Devils Postpile National Monument
A dense wall of mostly hexagonal basalt columns stands above the Middle Fork San Joaquin River, with glacial polish exposing the column pattern from above.
Artwork inspired by David Park
A dense wall of mostly hexagonal basalt columns stands above the Middle Fork San Joaquin River, with glacial polish exposing the column pattern from above. Rainbow Falls broadens the visit from one formation to a river landscape. Devils Postpile National Monument becomes easier to read when established (1911), rock (Columnar basalt), and access (Seasonal shuttle) are held together rather than treated as disconnected labels.
Inspect the postpile from below and above before deciding whether time and heat allow the longer walk to Rainbow Falls. The access road is seasonal and usually requires a shuttle; storms, fire recovery, and high-country snow can shorten the operating season.
- Established
- 1911
- Rock
- Columnar basalt
- Access
- Seasonal shuttle
Quick guide
- Start with
- Inspect the postpile from below and above before deciding whether time and heat allow the longer walk to Rainbow Falls.
- Look closely at
- Compare basalt columns with glacial polish, then use Rainbow Falls to test what the site is trying to communicate.
Know before you go
- Start with
- Inspect the postpile from below and above before deciding whether time and heat allow the longer walk to Rainbow Falls.
- Look closely at
- Compare basalt columns with glacial polish, then test that reading against Rainbow Falls.
- Place in context
- Established: 1911; Rock: Columnar basalt; Access: Seasonal shuttle
- Plan the arrival
- For Devils Postpile National Monument, use Devils Postpile National Monument Ranger Station, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 as the reviewed public arrival point. Before visiting Devils Postpile National Monument.
Good to know
The access road is seasonal and usually requires a shuttle; storms, fire recovery, and high-country snow can shorten the operating season.
Notice these
- basalt columns
- glacial polish
- Rainbow Falls