Horsetail Falls & Pyramid Creek CA
• 5-star hike
• 3 mile part-loop
• Moderate | Gain 580 ft | Peak 6,700 feet
• Twin Bridges, CA | Lake Tahoe
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Distant Horsetail Falls viewed close to the trailhead
Late spring and early summer may be the best times to experience Horsetail Falls, when snowmelt sends the water thundering down at its fullest force, but a hike up the Pyramid Creek Trail to the falls is a worthwhile experience at any time of year. That said, the first challenge of the day may simply be finding a parking spot at the very busy Pyramid Creek Trailhead, so arriving early is well worth the effort.
The great views begin almost immediately, as you come across the first of a series of small waterfalls and cascades on the way to the 500-foot gem that is this hike's ultimate destination. Take time to look behind you as well, toward Lover's Leap and the glaciated valley bowl below, which reminded us of Yosemite Valley in miniature. The granite walls and open sky give the whole area a dramatic, sweeping scale that's easy to underestimate from photos alone.
| ⬤ 5★ Pyramid Trail
3.0 mi part loop, moderate, gain 580 ft GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX? |
| P Free parking |
Trail-finding can be tricky during the middle portion of the hike, as the path traverses broad, bald expanses of granite where the trail itself all but disappears. Our recommended outbound route follows roughly alongside the creek for much of the initial loop before merging with the out-and-back section of the trail, which also tracks the creek closely. As a general rule, stick near Pyramid Creek and you won't end up on any unwanted detours; wandering too far from the water is the most common way hikers lose the trail entirely.
Although the hike is relatively short in distance, you'll want to allow plenty of time to both admire the views and negotiate the terrain. The trail surface is rough in places, with rocky, uneven ground making up more than half of the route, so sturdy footwear and a steady pace are recommended, especially when the granite is damp or slick.
As mentioned earlier, this is a very popular trail with a relatively small parking area, so plan to arrive early in the day, or simply get lucky. Weekday mornings tend to offer the best odds, while weekends and holidays can see the lot fill well before mid-morning.
Horsetail Falls is best visited when waters are raging.
Looking south from the falls towards Strawberry.
External links:
Pyramid Creek Trailhead at US Forest Service
Trailspotting nearby:
4★ Echo Lake (3-9 mi)
5★ Round Top (5-10 mi)
3★ Ralston Peak (7 mi)
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