Horsetail Falls Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Contents |
Info
- Trailhead: Horsetail Falls Trailhead
- Distance: 2.6 mile round trip
- Elevation gain:
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year-round except during winter storms
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Trip Reports
- [1] Horsetail Falls)
Hike Description
This is a stunning low elevation loop in the Columbia River Gorge. There are views of three waterfalls and a couple of views of Oneonta Gorge.
The trail begins in one of the most scenic trailheads anywhere, at Horsetail Falls. Plan on a bit of time before or after you hike to view and photograph the falls. The trail begins climbing some easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. You'll pass your first trail junction here, as Gorge Trail #400 heads east. After 5 switchbacks the trail levels out, and heads west for a bit high above the Gorge below. After 4/10 of a mile, the trail suddenly turns into the small valley containing Ponytail Falls. In literally a few steps, you leave the modern freeway noise and enter a different world. The trail passes behind Ponytail Falls in a cavernous area eroded beneath a lava flow.
The trail continues west An optional extension is detailed as the Triple Falls Hike.
Trail Log
0.0 Horsetail Falls Trailhead 0.2 Jct Gorge Trail #400 heading east. 0.4 Jct unmaintained Rock of Ages Trail 0.4 Ponytail Falls 0.7 Side trail to viewpoints 1.0 Weeping wall 1.1 View down into Oneonta Gorge 1.2 Oneonta Creek bridge, Middle Oneonta Falls 1.3 Jct Oneonta Trail #424
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
Nothing required
Related Discussions / Q&A
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Title - 1st Edition, by Author
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)