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)

Tonight
Snow showers. Steady temperature around 31. Breezy, with a south southwest wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Thursday
Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday Night
Snow showers likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. South southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday
Snow showers likely before 10am, then rain and snow showers. High near 36. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 1am. The rain and snow could be heavy at times. Low around 27. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Saturday
Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 31. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Saturday Night
Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.
Sunday Night
Snow showers likely. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Monday
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28.
Monday Night
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Tuesday
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.
Tuesday Night
Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.