Horsetail Falls & Pyramid Creek CA
• 5-star hike
• 3.0 mile part-loop
• Medium difficulty | Gain 580 ft | Peak 6,700 feet
• Twin Bridges, CA | Lake Tahoe
• Driving Directions: 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.
Pyramid Trail Pyramid Trail 5★ 3.0 mi, Part Loop, Medium, Gain 577 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
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.
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Official, Public Map at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
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