Horsetail Falls
Our Experience at Horsetail Falls

Hiking up to Horsetail Falls was the perfect way to spend a relatively warm November day for us. Despite the mild weather, though, we still encountered a decent amount of snow on the trail, especially in the shade of the trees. We made the most of it, but if you choose to hike it in the late fall or winter, be prepared for mud, ice, and snow. This trail is accessible year round, and it is amazing to see the differences in the scenery between seasons. The trail is fairly wide and easy to follow, just keep your eye on the signs where the trail splits.

 

Although this hike is not particularly long, it is relatively steep, and the approach to the falls requires a bit of finesse as you climb over large rocks and approach steep cliff faces. To get to the base of the falls, you will actually need to leave the trail and bushwhack your way through brush. We would not recommend it to families with small children. Thankfully, there are stretches where the trail flattens out, providing great resting spots. As you make your way up the mountain, be sure to look up and enjoy the scenery around you as you hike. The trail follows Dry Creek up the canyon, making its way through pine forests and a couple of open meadows. This is truly a beautiful area.

 

At a couple of points during the hike, the trail crosses the stream, requiring you to ford it. There are no bridges for crossing, but it was easy enough to pick our way across using rocks and logs. And depending on the time of year, the water should not be deep at all. Be aware that during the spring melt, parts of the trail may become inaccessible.

 

Once we reached the falls, we had a blast scrambling up and down the rocks, exploring, and napping in the sun. Thankfully, the falls are located on a south-western facing slope, so all of the snow in this portion of the canyon had melted. Personally, I would say that this is now my favorite waterfall in Utah. The falls cascade down granite walls, and the area is almost reminiscent of Yosemite in California. So once you get up there, take your time to really appreciate it.

 

Quick Guide

From I-15, take exit 284 onto Timpanogos Highway (SR-92). Turn onto 5300 West, and follow it to Main Street. Go straight through the traffic circle, then turn right onto 200 North. Turn left onto Grove Drive, which will lead you to the Dry Creek Trail Head. There will be a big sign indicating that you have reached the Dry Creek Trail Head, and a decent sized dirt parking lot. There are two trails at the parking lot, one heading north and the other east. Follow the east trail, which is marked by a Forest Service notice board.

 

Trail Length:

 

4.2 miles out and back

 

Time:

 

2-3 hours

 

Difficulty:

 

Moderate

 

Elevation Gain: 1

 

600 feet. The trailhead begins at 5600 ft. The falls are located at 7200 ft. elevation.

 

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Horsetail Falls
Quick Guide
Our Experience at Horsetail Falls
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