The Vitals
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Directions
- Head over Echo
Summit. The Horsetail Falls Trailhead is 7 miles from the summit, on
the right. There is a fee for parking.
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Beautiful
Area
Great Swimming
Exciting |
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Difficult at times
poorly marked trail
The waterfall zone is dangerous |
Locals Tips
Patronize the good peeps at the
Strawberry Station General Store or enjoy Apres at the Strawberry Lodge.
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Recommended Gear
Hiking Shoes
GPS Device
Hydration Pack
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The Horsetail Falls hike is one of the
most scenic in the Lake Tahoe area, if you go to the top of the falls.
If you go to the base of the falls it's still an excellent way to spend
an afternoon. The creek has many pools in which you can swim though the
water is very cold until mid summer. Even half way up the falls there
are places you can take a dip in the late summer when the water is
low.
Caution-
Many have died here wading just a bit too far into the water. The
bottom is slippery and even when the water is low, it can be quite
overpowering.
When you reach the base of the falls the trail will all but disappear.
At some points there will be green or yellow arrows on the rocks to
mark the way. The granite slabs here are quite steep and this hike is
not for the timid. The easiest routes take you away from the falls
until you reach the top, at Avalanche Lake. This is your reward. One
would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful alpine lake anywhere.
There are no less than four small streams flowing into this shallow
lake, which does get quite warm from mid summer on. There are many more
small lakes or pools right in this area and exploring is highly
recommended. This route can also access Pyramid Peak, Lake Aloha, and
Lake of the Woods (
see map).
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