Horsetail Creek
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| | Raps:2, max ↨265ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 3 May 2025
"Upper has a single bolt. 35M. Lower was DCR from log. 80M+. Lower involved some special footwork at the flows. Waterfall is much taller than d |
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| Best season: | Aug-Sept
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45.5886, -122.0683
45.5902, -122.0688
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Introduction[edit]
Horsetail Creek is a prominent tributary of the Columbia River. This page describes a descent of the two major waterfalls on this creek.
- Please see "Red Tape" below before running this canyon. Horsetail and Ponytail Falls are two of the most prominent / popular "show waterfalls" in the Columbia River Gorge.
- Be aware: this area was overrun by the Eagle Creek wildfire in 2017. While the area has technically reopened, unstable and dangerous conditions off-trail may persist for many years to come. Beware landslides, loose rocks, and fallen trees.
- Horsetail Creek runs high late into the summer. The checkpoint is Horsetail Falls which is visible from the parking lot. Both waterfalls can be powerful and dangerous in high flow.
Approach[edit]
From the parking lot, follow the Horsetail Falls up left of the falls for ~0.3mi. Locate the junction with the old Rock of Ages Trail (unmaintained since the Eagle Creek wildfire). Ascend a short distance, then try to locate the old spur trail that leads over to the top of Ponytail Falls.
Descent[edit]
You are almost guaranteed to have an audience on both rappels.
- R1 - Ponytail Falls - 35m (115ft) from single bolt DCR.
- R2 - Horsetail Falls - 80m (265ft) from log DCR.
Exit[edit]
The final rappel is into the parking lot.
Red tape[edit]
Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls are major tourist draws along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Be aware: unlike other parts of the country, canyoning is not widely known or recognized in the Pacific Northwest. Individuals climbing, rappelling, or slack-lining around such "show waterfalls" are far more likely to garner negative reactions from the general public at large. Negative reactions can lead to complaints and more rules by the local authorities. If you must descend this creek, locals suggest descending when the number of hikers will be low - e.g. very early in the morning or on weekdays. Please be scrupulous about following a Leave-No-Trace ethic. Leaving brightly colored anchors can annoy waterfall photographers, irk land managers, and may encourage the inexperienced / unprepared to attempt to follow you. It's a given that local land managers would prefer canyoneers not rappel these waterfalls.
For out of state visitors, there are a great many other excellent canyon destinations in the general area that are: 1) non-controversial, and 2) offer a much better canyon experience.
Beta sites[edit]
CanyoneeringNorthwest.com (archive.org) : Columbia River Gorge Prospects- Super Amazing Map : Horsetail Creek
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
FKD - Michael Petersen, Haruka James Clay Lipscom , Ryan Ernst on 5/4/25. Done by 9amzl. Crowds were minimal.