Devil’s Postpile Loop Trail

Devil's Postpile National Monument, California

The Devil’s Postpile, a spectacular sixty foot high example of columnar basalt, is the highlight of this trail. The trailhead is reached via a mandatory shuttle bus from Mammoth Mountain, which runs from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm between approximately June and September, at all other times you may use your own personal transportation. The shuttle will stop at the monument’s Visitor Center where you will find the Devil’s Postpile Trail. As you make your way towards the postpile, you will be treated to gorgeous views of the San Joaquin River, as the trail follows the river’s banks briefly before arriving at the base of the monument. When you see Devil’s Postpile for the first time, you will be struck by its uniqueness, and striking beauty. The easy, level 0.5 mile walk that it takes to get to the monument is a small price to pay for such a rewarding view, but don’t stop there—for an even more interesting view, climb to the top of the formation.