horsetail falls

We had 4 adults, 3 kids from ages10 to 17 and a dog with us. The views were beautiful and you had frequent water views during the hike which is nice. The falls at the (almost) top were stunning. On the way back we stopped at one of the pools to take a dip, quite brisk to say the least but refreshing too. I'm glad I was brave enough to inch all the way in. A fun experience.

This hike is about 25 minutes up hwy 50 from South Tahoe. Apparently if you hike all the way to the top of the falls it takes 4+ hours and there is a small lake up there that is feeding the falls. We hiked up to the point where we could see it totally cascading down the granite mountains. About 1 1/2 hours up. It was a great hike. Plenty hot during the day, but lots of water to cool off in. A majority of the hike is within 100 feet of the river/falls coming down. There were lots of places to get in and play in the water. There is one amazing cascading waterfall to stop and play in. The water comes rushing down this a wide sloping area and it was so beautiful. This area of the hike was only about 1/4 to 1/2 miles up the trail. Not bad if that’s as far as you want to go, plus you still get plenty of chances to view the big falls coming over the mountain. The only bummer on this hike for us was that my 13 year old, who was leading us back down the mountain, nearly stepped on a rattlesnake that was slithering across the trail. I know we are in their lands, and are pretty much all over these mountain that we all play in, but we sure didn’t want to see one. It totally FREAKED her out (rightfully so) and she was an anxiety mess for about the next 3 days.

I drove by here many times, every time saying I was going to hike up there...After ten years, I finally got around to it...Had breakfast in Placerville at Mel's Diner first...We took a backpack with water and sandwiches for the hike...I'm glad I did it...This is also a tributary for the south fork of the American River...And there is a lake at the top of the falls, with another waterfall behind that lake...Worth a day trip!!

This is one of those spots that will forever live in my minds eye. The smooth hike over house-sized boulders and bedrock, the warmth from laying on those rocks in the summer evenings, the starry nights. The rushing, icy, crystal clear carving itself into the bedrock, body-shooting (careful now) some minor rapids, laying next to the waterfall where the sound plays strange, eerie tricks on your mind. All within an hour of the parking lot but a wilderness away. Take a hike, spend the night. Really want a show??? Go August 10-13, 2013 to catch the Perseids meteor shower.

There is much to see while hiking through the Desolation Wilderness. The views from the top of the falls are amazing. The hike from the base to the top of the falls is rather difficult. It took my group and I roughly 3 hours to get to the top. Be forewarned there is no clear pathway up the falls, if you keep the falls to your right and scramble up the large granite boulders it is possible to make it up without too much difficulty. The lake at the top is very beautiful. If you plan to attempt this hike to the top, be sure to get an early start to allow time to enjoy the beautiful landscape at the top of the falls. BE CAREFUL!!! Some of the hike can be dangerous, and make sure you have proper gear. i.e. hiking boots and plenty of water.

Very nice area, and awesome reviews. But are all of you jerks just screwing with the rest of us?? Sure, the walk to the base of the falls is pretty, and fine for family & kids. But while so many reviews cavalierly describe a "moderately" challenging scramble to the top of the falls, and into the Desolation wilderness area, there is NO reasonable route to the top of the falls. A half dozen attempts on my part all ended up at the base of 100+ foot cliffs or chimney structures impassible by all by hard core climbers with serious gear. Very frustrating. If your experience is different, please give some of us a clue. All else, be forwarned. Not nearly as easy as advertised.

Good day hike with spectacular view of the Horsetail falls and plenty of cool water pools. Kids had fun in the water. We hiked all the way to the Wilderness trail. We took a permit that is needed for the hike. We did not go to the top of the falls, thought it was a little too risky for us and with family waiting down, maybe some other day. On the whole the entire hike took close to 2 hours to get a spectacular view of the Horsetail Falls. On the way back, the kids played for sometime in one of the many Cool water pools that were formed due to the falls. On the whole the great way to spend the day hiking. It is close to an hours drive from Folsom CA. Look out for the Pyramid Creek Trail Parking lot that is located on the left side when you go from US 50 E. Lot of sites tell us to goto Pyramid Creek Road and that is not the correct place to go if we have to hike to the falls. Our GPS did get Horsetail Falls Parking and we selected that address. If not just look out for Pyramid Creek Trail parking lot.

This place is awesome. Explore forever. Scramble in and along the river. Backpack in your lunch and enjoy amazing scenery. Water is COLD.

Take this hike. It's pretty and good for the kids, good swimming too.

Just kidding, but it was quite a hike to the top of the falls. Well worth it though. It's a Garden of Eden up top with large, cool swimming holes and more waterfalls, greenery, trees and snow capped mountains (we went July 15/03). If you take the hike up the falls, stay focused and take it slow, or else.........P.S. Hi baby, how 'bout risotto for dinner?

Horsetail falls is a moderate hike with a great falls and beautiful granite walls. The short hike (distance more so than time) follows along Pyramid Creek over granite slabs created from glaciers. Make sure to peak through the trees at the creek every now and then as there are great swimming holes and beautiful, smaller cascades all along the hike. The trail can be hard to make out in the desolation forest so keep an eye out for markers (piled stones) and the creek to your right and you will eventually wind up at the foot of the falls.

This is a great day hike. You can do the round trip in a couple hours. The entire hike is very scenic and the falls are great. If you are in the area check it out!

Horsetail Falls is a great stop between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento if you are going up Highway 50. There is free parking available right off the road. A wooded area below the falls makes for a great place to explore and rest. There are large flat boulders, perfect for a midday picnic. The falls are clearly visible from the road, but a short hike up the mountain offers photogenic views of the woods and the streams/waterfalls that travel down the hillside. In the summertime, Horsetail Falls makes for a fun (if sometimes cold) swimming hole. In the winter and early spring, the entire area is blanketed in pure white snow, making for beautiful scenery. The terrain is not rough, and serious hikers can make it to the foot of the falls. Because Horsetail Falls is a small area, many people will drive by without noticing it. So don't blink, or you'll miss the chance to visit a truly great place!

2月の中旬から下旬にかけての一時期のみに見られる、Horsetail Fallが夕焼けに赤く輝く、FireFallを見に行きました。まずは国立公園の入り口で、その日の日の入りの時間を調べると、１時間半前にはすでに、見所には車がたくさん駐車しており、El Captanの東側に、は特別にパーキングスポットができていました。今年は滝の水量が少なく、あまり綺麗には見えませんでしたが、それでも赤い一筋の滝は美しかったです。