Pony Tail Falls

Horsetail Falls (or Horse Tail Falls) is a waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, United States.... more

by Jeff Swan

Title

Pony Tail Falls

Artist

Jeff Swan

Medium

Photograph

Description

Horsetail Falls (or Horse Tail Falls) is a waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, United States.

The waterfall is easily accessed, in contrast to its near neighbor Oneonta Falls, as it is right next to the Historic Columbia River Highway. The shape of the falls and the rounded rockface over which it flows cause it to resemble a horse's tail.
Upper Horsetail Falls (from behind)
Horsetail Falls Bridge on the Historic Columbia River Highway

There are actually two waterfalls along the creek. The upper falls, called Upper Horsetail Falls or Ponytail Falls, can be accessed from a footpath.

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. Horsetail Falls Trail #438 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. Bigleaf maples and vine maples make this a beautiful hike in the autumn, specifically late October through early November.

Uploaded

June 18th, 2013