Rainbow Falls Trail

The walk starts at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road; the trail can be joined from the upper or the lower lot. The Rainbow Falls Trail climbs at once through a boulder field, with LeConte Creek tumbling down on the right. It keeps on up the valley through old forest and the burn scars of the 2016 fire, crossing the creek on footbridges, and reaches the foot of Rainbow Falls, where the creek drops over a high ledge. Return the same way.

It is 5.3 miles (8.6 km) round trip with 1,630 feet (498 m) of climbing; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: not long, but the climb is steep and steady all the way, on a very rocky trail.

The falls are named for the rainbow that often shows in the mist at their foot on sunny afternoons. The rocks around them are wet and slippery, so stay off them. In winter the trail is often icy.

Parking here is very limited and the lots fill early: come early, or use a shuttle. A parking tag is needed to park for more than 15 minutes: $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year. Pets are not allowed on the trail. Black bears are common in this part of the park; keep at least 50 yards from them.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.