Trailhead: 5 miles south of Mammoth on the Old Bunsen Peak Road Trail
Distance: 8 miles (12.9 km) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
 
Whether you start south of Bunsen Peak on the Bunsen Peak road or north of Bunsen Peak on the other end of what used to be the Bunsen Peak road, you will be traveling about three miles along the road (now closed to automobiles) before you actually reach Osprey Falls Trail. From the south, the road starts out on level terrain, skirting Swan Lake Meadows. However, the road/trail does become steep and winding before long. From the north, the old road travels through a small meadow where birds and waterfowl are often seen before it starts a steady climb through up through forested area on the back side of Bunsen Peak. This route offers good views of Sheepeater Canyon, and moose and deer can often be seen in the area. The actual Osprey Falls Trail starts at the rim of Sheepeater Canyon and drops some 800 vertical feet through a series of switchbacks to the floor of the canyon. From there, the trail follows the Gardiner River to the base of the 150 foot falls, where vertical cliffs tower 500 feet above you.  You can stand at the bottom of the falls and enjoy the spray of the waterfall, but be careful not to lose your balance on the wet, slippery rocks.

Backcountry Hiking Information

Park Regulations