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. [Illustration: uncaptioned] 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 [Illustration: uncaptioned] 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. ABOUT YOUR VISIT The monument is reached by a 16-kilometer (10-mile) drive west from U.S. 395 on S.R. 203 to Minaret Summit, then by 11.2 kilometers (7 miles) of paved narrow mountain road. The monument is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. For more information write: Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Three Rivers, CA 93271. Park rangers are on duty to assist you, to conduct interpretive activities, and to enforce the regulations. _Closed in winter._ _Accommodations and services._ Meals, lodging, groceries, gasoline, horses, and other facilities and services are available at Mammoth Lakes or nearby Reds Meadow. _Camping._ A campground is maintained near the ranger station from about July 1 to October 15, depending on the weather. _Hiking._ Trips may be made north or south on the John Muir Trail and west on the King Creek Trail. The monument also has several short trails. _Fishing and hunting._ Fishing is permitted in the monument, but hunting is prohibited. A California angling license with appropriate stamps is required for persons 16 years of age or over. _Pets._ Pets are permitted in the monument only if they are kept under direct physical control at all times. National Park Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR