Horsetail Falls - California Waterfalls; Lake Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness-hike/trail/map/directions

You can see the impressive Horsetail Falls cascading down the mountain from busy Highway 50 on the way to South Lake Tahoe. But remember to keep your eyes on the road, or you will end up in the ditch. It is especially impressive in springtime during snow-melt. The first time we came was late in the year (August), and we thought the waterfall was great. We came back in the spring (June) and we were amazed. Wow! Park at the trailhead at Twin Bridges, with now a $10 parking fee. There are usually a lot of cars parked here on weekends, so there might quite a few people here; this is a very popular destination.

Follow the signs straight ahead to the wilderness boundary (not the Pyramid Creek loop trail). At the boundary, you will need to fill out a permit to continue up to the waterfall. The trail is unclear in places as you scramble up granite rocks to the waterfall. But just remember to keep the creek on your right and the waterfall ahead of you, and you will not get lost. It is only a 1.4 mile hike but it takes about 45 minutes to an hour. As you are hiking to the waterfall, look for two or three other tall unnamed cascades falling down the mountains to your right. These would be seasonal falls, only to be seen in the springtime. But quite interesting, nonetheless. When you reach Horsetail Falls, you will be treated to a spectacular display of water rushing down the mountainside.

If you are ambitious, you can continue scrambling up the mountain beside the creek to get to the top of the waterfall. This is quite strenuous. There is not much of a trail, you are essentially just scrambling up the mountain. Head slightly away from the creek as you go up (though, you will always have the waterfall in view). I do not recommend taking children to the top of Horsetail Falls. I found it a bit dangerous in places coming back down. Good hiking boots are a must! These granite rocks are quite smooth and slippery, even when dry. Many people have died here at this waterfall by losing their step on the slippery rocks, so please be careful.

You can take the Pyramid Creek loop trail on the way up or back to the falls (instead of going straight to the wilderness boundary, follow the signed trail towards the creek). If you do this, there is another really nice cascade right along the trail. I call this Lower Horsetail Falls. It is a really nice slide about 91 ft. high, and definitely worth seeing.

Because Horsetail Falls is so huge, it is practically impossible to measure its height with any degree of accuracy. A collaborated effort from myself and fellow waterfall guru Bryan Swan came up with a figure of 790 ft. This is no doubt not completely accurate, but it is within the ball park range, and does give you a relative idea of how immense this waterfall really is.

5 Miles W Echo Summit CA (Elev. 7648 ft)

This Afternoon
Snow showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
A slight chance of snow between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of rain after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night
A slight chance of rain before 8pm, then a slight chance of snow between 8pm and 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday
Snow likely after 11am, mixing with rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain and snow likely, becoming all snow after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Sunday
Snow likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Monday
A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 37.
Monday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.