Ponytail Falls

Shortly before making the thunderous plunge over Horsetail Falls, Horsetail Creek is shot through a narrow crack and exploded out into a large pool in front of a deep recess, which allows a trail to pass behind the falls. This is one of the more favored waterfalls in Oregon for professional photographers, mainly for pictures looking out from behind the falls. Though the falls are only about 1/3 mile from the trailhead, the trail is steep, gaining about 250 feet in roughly 1/3 mile, hence the moderate difficulty rating. Most sources attribute a height of 100-125 feet to this waterfall, which is a substantial overestimate from our measured height of 88 feet. Located in the Multnomah Falls area of the Columbia Gorge. Drive to Horsetail Falls, 2 1/2 miles east of Multnomah Falls, or 2 miles west of I-84 at Dodson. Park, and follow the Horsetail Falls Trail # 438 steeply up for about 4/10 mile, bearing right at the junction halfway up the hill. The trail crosses behind the falls, offering several photo opportunities from multiple angles on either side of the falls.