One of the hidden spots along Highway 395 that we love to visit is Fossil Falls. Fossil Falls is a dry waterfall with unique geological features. This place is a spectacular lava flow sculpted by rushing water and wind during the Ice Ages. It definitely worth the quick stop to visit. You can learn more about the history of Fossil Falls here.
STATS:
Where:
Parking: 35°58’18″N 117°54’38″W
Fossil Falls: 35°58′12″N117°54′32″W
Parking:
There is a decent size dirt parking lot at the trailhead. Parking is free.
Restroom:
There are restrooms located in the parking lot.
Distance:
About 0.5-miles R.T.
Level:
Easy. The hike is mostly flat and only about 0.5 miles. It is considered intermediate if you climb down the falls.
Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Ideal Weather: It gets VERY hot there so cooler days are ideal. The rocks will absorb the heat from the sun on hotter days.
Ideal Time: the evening will give you much more pleasant light for photos. Even at 8 am in the morning, the light is already very harsh.
Dog-Friendly: Your pooch is welcome to explore the area, but please keep them on a leash and have plenty of water.
THE ADVENTURE:
Fossil Falls is located about 40 miles south from Lone Pine. It is easy to miss as there is only one sign each way along Highway 395. Fortunately, the turns are well marked so you won’t get lost trying to find it. You will be driving for about 2 miles on washboard, gravel rocks before reaching the parking lot. There are campsites to the left of the trailhead as well.
The parking lot is nicely maintained and always has plenty of parking every time we have gone. The small trailhead is to the left of the signages about Fossil Falls.
Once you get started on the trail, there is a small directional sign showing you which way to go. As you go along, you will see a red box on your right. This is the logbook where you can sign in and leave comments about your experience. Watch your step on the trail. The ground is uneven with tons of little slippery rocks and jagged lava rocks.
The trail looks like it could be on the face of mars, as it winds its way through the hills like some sort of serpent. It is a pretty hike. However, it is a good thing that the trail is short as the temperature can get very hot out there. Besides the little signage in the beginning, there are no other signs on the trail. However, it is not that hard to find. There is only one fork on the trail. It is around 0.12 miles. You’ll want to make a left here. It will take you to the dramatic beginning of the falls. If you go right, you’ll end up on the top, middle section of it. As you curve off to the left you will see a large boulder about 365 feet in front of you. This is pretty much the finish line of the trail.
As you reach the boulder, you will find yourself at a small drop off. At the bottom of that, make a right. The falls are almost hard to see from here but trust me, they are only about 100 feet away. This is my favorite part of the trail. It appears to just be a flat wash because all of the magic is actually below the surface. As you get closer, you can start to see a change in the landscape. And then, all of a sudden, you’re standing on a volcanic cliff.
Shoes with good tread will definitely come in handy here. The black lava rocks are very smooth as they had been polished over eons. Our shoes actually squeaked on the rock like it was one of those smooth garage floors. Please be careful if you work your way out onto the pillars above the canyon. It can get very slippery. From here, you can enjoy the view from the top. If you’re up for it, you can walk around to the left side of the canyon and make your way down into the falls.
There are also hidden petroglyphs around this area. You can climb about halfway down the falls before it turns into a straight dropdown. It is doable to climb all the way down, however, you’ll need to be an experienced climber to make that trek. There is a good chance that you might have the whole place to yourself, so doing anything risky is not a good idea.
Once you’re done with Fossil Falls, don’t forget to check out Jael Hoffmann’s Olancha Sculpture Garden, about 20 minutes away. If you are heading up North, check out Mono Lake and Hot Creek Geological Site for some super cool stops. If Tahoe is your destination, don’t forget to kayak through Sand Harbor and make your way down to Chimney Beach.
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!
RECOMMEND GEAR:
Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
• Sunscreen:
We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen
• Hiking shoes
You’ll need some good traction shoes. Vy’s shoes are North Face HedgeHog GTX. Dustin’s shoes are Coleman Tasman Hiking Shoes.
• Water
It can get hot here. There are no shades. Vy uses the Camelback L.U.X.E. Dustin uses the Clik Small pack (sadly Clik is no longer around).
CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a7 III
GoPro Hero 7 Black
• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX
• Drone:
Mavic 2 Pro Combo
