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
.
The image shows a scenic view of a waterfall cascading down a rocky mountainside. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and tall pine trees, creating a picturesque natural landscape. The water flows down multiple tiers of rocks, adding to the visual appeal of the scene. The sky above is clear and blue, enhancing the overall beauty of the image.

The image shows a scenic view of a waterfall cascading down a rocky mountainside. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and tall pine trees, creating a picturesque natural landscape. The water flows down multiple tiers of rocks, adding to the visual appeal of the scene. The sky above is clear and blue, enhancing the overall beauty of the image.

Distant Horsetail Falls viewed close to the trailhead

Late spring and early summer may be the best times to experience Horsetail Falls, but a hike up the Pyramid Creek trail to the falls is still a worthwhile experience at any time of the year. If you can find a parking spot at the very busy US50 trailhead that is.

The great views begin almost immediately as you happen across the first of a series of small waterfalls and cascades on your way to the 500 foot gem of a waterfall which is this hike's ultimate goal. Also take time to look behind you and marvel towards Lovers Leap and the glaciated valley bowl below, which reminded us of Yosemite Valley.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ Pyramid Trail 3.0 mi part loop, moderate, gain 580 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Trail-finding can be difficult during the middle part of the hike as it traverses over bald expanses of granite. Our recommended outbound route roughly follows alongside the creek for much of the initial loop before meeting up with the out-and-back section of the trail which also follows the creek. Stick by Pyramid Creek and you won't be taking any unwanted detours.

Although the trail is relatively short you'll want to allow some time to both admire the views and tackle the terrain. The trail is relatively rough, so you'll be negotiating around and over rocky ground for over half the journey.

As we mentioned earlier, this is a very popular trail with a relatively small parking area, so expect to either arrive here early in the day or get lucky.

The image shows a scenic view of a cascading waterfall flowing through a rocky terrain surrounded by pine trees. The water rushes down multiple tiers of rocks, creating a dynamic and picturesque landscape. The surrounding area is characterized by large granite boulders and sparse vegetation, typical of a mountainous region. The clear blue sky adds to the beauty of the scene, making it a visually appealing and serene natural setting.

Horsetail Falls is best visited when waters are raging.

The image shows a scenic view of a mountainous landscape with tall pine trees, rocky terrain, and distant mountain ranges under a clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds.

The image shows a scenic view of a mountainous landscape with tall pine trees, rocky terrain, and distant mountain ranges under a clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds.

Looking south from the falls towards Strawberry.

Tangents:
• Official: Forest Service
• Public Map at AllTrails: Horsetail Falls
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Echo Lake (3-9 mi) · 5★ Round Top (5-10 mi) · 3★ Ralston Peak (7 mi) · Show Map

Lake Tahoe's Best Trails
All-year-round fun at this Northern California landmark. Trailspotting has Lake Tahoe hikes for everyone.

California Summits
Explore mountain-top hikes around California with Trailspotting.