It’s the end of quarantine time and people are out and about. Staying away from people is something that we found imperative to the success of the nation in defeating this virus. Nonetheless, keeping in shape as well as mentally stable is quite important. With that said, the weather has been nothing short of odd for the past few weeks. Nature was calling my name to transverse up the Horsetail Falls in Desolation Wilderness.
Like I said in my previous posts, I like going to Desolation Wilderness because there aren’t a lot of people and the lakes in the area are pristine. Check out this post of Maggies Peak and Cascade Falls in Lake Tahoe.
Parking at this trail head is $8 dollars that can be paid via credit/debit card. Come early before the crowds because there is limited parking. Parking on the highway in the area is not permitted but people park anyways. I have seen people with tickets on their cars.
Horsetail Falls Trail – Desolation Wilderness
Horsetail Falls Trail is located near Twin Bridges, California which is on the way to South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50. It’s about 1.5 hours away from Sacramento, so relatively short drive for an awesome adventure. Make sure you arrive by 8 AM as the parking is limited and this trail one of the most popular trails in the area. Also, check out Apple Hill after the hike which would make it a perfect day trip.
Some things to note about this trail. First, you start at about 6000 feet which could be high altitude for some so it may affect your breathing. Second, it’s a popular trail so arrive and start early. Third, bring water because it’s a climb. Forth, wear shoes that grip because a lot of the trail is on rock. And lastly, you will need to climb and boulder around some of the areas to reach the top so it could be dangerous for kids and animals.
With this trail, the views are definitely awesome as you climb up parallel to the waterfall. The climb is about 1500 feet in about 4-5 miles. There is some shade here and there as well as open areas so be prepared for both. When it is hot, this hike gets uncomfortable in the open areas.
Trail Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/horsetail-falls
The Hike
Arriving at 8AM, the parking lot had a bit of cars and more cars were coming in. The trail begins flat and becomes more uphill as you go on. I have hiked this trail several times and consider this trail moderate to difficult depending on hiking experience.
The first mile is nice and easy; however, as you ascend, you will find yourself climbing and traversing in areas of this trail. The bouldering was the most challenging part of the trail and not recommended for young kids; towards the top, it was all bouldering.
Once you reach the top, you will find several small beautiful lakes such as Avalanche Lake, Pitt Lake, Ropi Lake, and Toem Lake. In fact, you can hit all the way to Lake Aloha if you wanted to. I’ve done that in the past for epic backpacking trips.
At the top at about 7500 feet, enjoy a great view of the area along with pristine lakes. Definitely, spend time here while you can. Going down on isn’t fun when you have to boulder and traverse rocks. Nonetheless, it’s a great feeling when you finish a hike.
Overall
The hike was moderate to difficult; nonetheless, with my hiking experience, I did not find it too hard. The altitude made me a bit slower but it was okay. I brought about 1 liter of water which was just about enough. Overall, the total hike was about 4 to 5 miles and took about 2.5 hours with breaks and photo breaks. Definitely, I recommend this hikes as it is a must-hike in the area.
Cinematics of the Hike
Quick Links
Trailhead: Google Maps
Trail map: All Trails
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