I enjoy long day hikes, car camping, and backpacking. This
is one of my favorite places to walk.
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HORSETAIL FALLS
TOUR |
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I took these photographs on August
26th, 1999 along Horsetail Falls in El Dorado County, California.
Click on the photo to bring up a much larger image. |
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The falls are about seventy five
miles from Sacramento, Califonia, near the top of Echo Summit
on Highway 50. Since temperatures in Sacramento were forecast
to hit 108 degrees on that Thursday, a hike at the 6,000 to 7,000
foot elevation was a good way for me to beat the heat. |
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This cataract
is less than a half mile from the Highway 50 trailhead. |
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Horsetail Fall in the distance,
less than two miles away. |
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Signs along the
way. A maintained trail exists for half the distance up the trail.
You're on your own after that. |
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The sign post at the boundary
of the Desolation Wilderness Area. This is about one mile and
a quarter from Highway 50. Everyone must fill out a form for
a day use permit, which is free. |
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Woods line the
trail for much of the way. |
| Gotta like
them ferns! |
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These views are
all along the upper falls. |
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No maintained trail exists
beyond the halfway point. People make their way up as best they
can. In many places the best path is still slippery and dangerous.
Wear heavy hiking boots. |
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You can't drink the water
safely, so be sure to bring at least two quarts of water per
person on your hike, along with plenty of food. |
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It's an hour and a half for
very strong hikers to get to the top. Plan on taking two and
a half hours at an easy pace. At least an hour and a half to
get down. |
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Looking
down the falls. |
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Avalanche Lake is at the top
of the falls. Now you have to climb down. Take your time and
watch your step! |
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