Horsetail Falls

The Trail

This moderate trail is 2.2 miles one way to reach the falls with a 1580 foot elevation change. There is also a view point looking up at the falls from a distance about 1.7 miles up the trail, as marked by the green flag in the topographical map below.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts from the Dry Creek trailhead and climbs pretty steadily to the falls.

Trailhead

Heading up the trail near its beginning

Note that this trail crosses the stream multiple times and can be very wet, especially in the spring. Some crossings may be covered or nearly covered in water during high run off, so be prepared to potentially get wet.

One crossing in the spring

 At about 1.7 miles up the trail, there is a short turn off to an overlook that is worth stopping at. 

Falls from overlook

Falls from overlook (zoomed in)

Falls from overlook in the spring

About two miles up the trail, the trail crosses the stream again and then splits. We found the water here to be cold, fast, and fairly deep in the spring. Take the trail to the left at the split to reach the falls. Shortly after this there is a social trail leading down to the base of the falls. It can be a bit tricky to find at times if you aren't looking for it. Sometimes there are ropes along it.

The stream crossing in the spring

 

If you miss this turn off you will continue up the mountain along the trail shown in red on the maps (which continues further than shown).

Soon hikers will reach the base of the falls. From here you will see that Horsetail Falls actually does not fall vertically; it just drops at a steep slope. It is easy to walk around this area to various view points around the falls, and if you continue on you will also find some other small falls above the main falls.

Horsetail Falls in the spring

Horsetail Falls from above in the spring

Small falls above the main falls later
in the year

Horsetail Falls with the canyon in
background later in year

This trail is open to dogs and horses as well as hikers. In fact, it is very popular with dogs, so expect to see them on this trail. After the last turn off though, the trail is not really accessible for horses. 


Directions

This trail is located in Utah County near Alpine. If you are coming from the north from I-15, take exit 284 and turn left onto Timpanogos Hwy/SR 92. Then turn left onto Highland Blvd. and then right onto 11800 North. This road will turn to the left and become Westfield Rd. When the road reaches a split, turn right onto 200 North. Continue to Grove Dr. and turn left. Where Grove Dr. splits, keep to the right. At the end of Grove Dr. there is a dirt parking lot for the trail head.

If you are coming from the south, take exit 276 off of I-15 and turn right onto 500 East. Continue to State Street and turn left. Then turn right onto 100 East/Alpine Hwy. Continue along this road until you reach 200 North. Turn right, go to Grove Dr., and turn left. Where Grove Dr. splits, keep to the right. At the end of Grove Dr. there is a dirt parking lot for the trail head.

Note: When we went to hike this trail, a mudslide had taken out part of the trail and the parking lot area. This area was being repaired, but we had to park a little further down the road and walk up to the trail head.