SODA SPRINGS
Nearby mineral springs are evidence of recent local volcanic activity. The Soda Springs lie on a gravel bar in the San Joaquin River just north of the Postpile. Here, gases driven upward from hot areas deep in the earth combine with ground water to produce cold and highly carbonated mineralized springs. The iron present in Soda Springs water oxidizes on exposure to the atmosphere and stains river gravel a reddish brown.
SAFETY
For your safety, remember that there are hazards in the mountains that usually do not exist in the city. Stay on designated trails; these are the safest places to hike. Use caution when viewing features from near cliff or gorge edges. Footing can be hazardous. WARNING: Bears inhabit the monument. Proper food storage is required by Federal law.
MONUMENT BOUNDARY CAMPGROUND TO U.S. 396 & MAMMOTH LAKES RANGER STATION (El. 7,560 ft.) SOTCHER LAKE Soda Springs DEVILS POSTPILE King Creek Trail San Joaquin River REDS MEADOW THE BUTTRESSES Middle Fork John Muir Trail Boundary Creek RAINBOW FALLS (101 feet) LOWER FALLS
RAINBOW FALLS
At Rainbow Falls the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River drops 31 meters (101 feet) over an andesite and rhyodacite cliff. It is thought that after the last glacier melted, the river flowed downstream from Devils Postpile in channels about 457 meters (1,500 feet) west of its present course. Flowing in these older channels, it cut through the rhyodacite lava down to granite, leaving a cliff of rhyodacite for its eastern bank. Then, some distance upstream, the waters were diverted eastward. The river left its bed to follow its present path until it returned to the old channel, by cascading down the cliff it had earlier cut. Thus Rainbow Falls was formed. A stairway and short trail lead to the bottom of the falls, where numerous flowers and grasses form an enchanting garden. Cars may be driven to within 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) of the falls via the road to Reds Meadow.