UNDINE FALLS
Waterfall Index
How to Get There
Undine Falls is four miles east of Mammoth, near the
roadway, and accessible by an easy, short hike.
Brief Description and
History
Lava Creek spills over the cliff face of a basalt
lava flow that was emplaced about 700,000 years ago. The falls is
approximately 60 feet in height, descending in three plunges.
Originally called "East Gardner Falls," "Cascade
Falls of the East Gardiner," or "Gardiner River Falls," Undine received its
present name in 1885 from geologist Arnold Hague. Undine (Webster says it is
pronounced UN deen) was named for wise, usually female water spirits from
German mythology who lived around waterfalls and who could gain souls by
marrying mortal men.
Undine Falls was featured on the cover of the July
1977 edition of National Geographic magazine.
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