Hiked 05/18/02
Horsetail Falls - Ponytail Falls Hike
59 Photos
Horsetail Falls - Ponytail Falls
The trail where photos were taken is colored red.
Ponytail Falls Hike begins at the Horsetail Falls Parking area
Here is Horsetail Falls which is on the same creek as Ponytail
Another photo of Horsetail - Ponytail Falls is actually Upper Horsetail Falls
Here is the trail sign leading to Upper Horsetail Falls which many call Ponytail
The first quarter mile or so of the trail is very steep
The trail continues to climb
Most of the hike is in a heavily forested area
Here is the junction to Gorge Trail 400, you take an extreme right
The trail now heads west and toward Horsetail Creek Canyon
The trail is more level now the rest of the way to Ponytail Falls
The trail continues
The trail continues
A glimpse to the northeast toward Hamilton Mtn
Approaching Horsetail Creek Canyon
First glimpse of Ponytail Falls
Getting closer
A look down at Horsetail Creek
A great view of Ponytail Falls and the trail underneath
Beginning to walk beneath the falls
Walking under the falls
Some call this Upper Horsetail Falls
A look back after passing beneath the falls
Now the trail continues as your complete the loop
The remains basically level until you reach Oneonta Creek
A glimpse of the Columbia River and the hills in Washington
The trail continues
The trail continues
The trail continues
Just a few feet off the right side of the trail is a viewpoint
Looking northeast toward Hamilton Mtn and Beacon Rock
A view to the east
A telephoto view of Hamilton Mtn and Beacon Rock
A final view to the northwest at the hills in Washington state
Back on the trail to complete the loop via the Oneonta Creek bridge
The trail continues
A series of steep switchbacks brings you to the Oneonta Bridge
The Oneonta Creek Bridge
After crossing the bridge the trail climbs steeply for a short distance
The junction to Triple Falls - bear right to return to Horsetail Falls
The junction sign
The trail begins to lose elevation now as it descends back to the highway
The trail continues
Here is a small detour you can take off the right side of the trail
A short alternate route for a nice view
The trail to the viewpoint continues
This is the viewpoint along the short alternate trail
The trail now climbs a short distance back to the main trail
Back on the main trail you continue on the loop back to Horsetail Falls
The trail levels off a bit as it approaches Horsetail Creek canyon
The trail continues
The trail continues
The junction that returns you to the highway
The junction sign
Bear right and head downhill to the highway that will lead you back to your vehicle
The trail continues
Almost to the highway
The trail sign for the trail you just completed
Now just carefully walk along the highway back to Horsetail Falls parking area
You cross over Oneonta Creek and pass Oneonta Gorge on your way back to Horsetail
---------------------------------The End of Another Excellent Adventure!-----------------------------------
NW Anthem
Majestic
Big Horizons
Natures Majesty