About Ponytail Falls (Upper Horsetail Falls)
Ponytail Falls was kind of like a “Mini Me” version of Horsetail Falls. That was because this waterfall also featured the strange hourglass shape and dual chute profile when viewed from its left side. In fact, I’ve seen some people refer to this waterfall as the Upper Horsetail Falls. In any case, what this waterfall had that its bigger brother didn’t was that we were able to safely walk behind it.
Another distinct feature about this waterfall was that it was flanked by protruding rounded cliff formations (undoubtedly produced from volcanism) giving an appearance as if there were a pair of foreheads on either side of the falls.
Although there were a few options with which we were able to combine a visit to this waterfall with other waterfalls, we did the most straightforward route, which meant we started at the Horsetail Falls car park and hiked uphill to Ponytail Falls. This was the shortest trail connecting the two falls and it was about 0.4 miles each way (0.8 miles round trip). The trail itself continued to go behind the falls and kept on going for another mile or so as it hooked up with the Oneonta Trail.
Although we didn’t do it, we could’ve very easily turned this out-and-back into a loop hike where we could have picked up the Oneonta Trail and headed back towards the Historic Columbia River Highway, then walk back towards the Horsetail Falls trailhead along the road. The loop hike was said to be 2.5 miles.
This waterfall shares the same car park as Horsetail Falls, which is 2.5 miles east of Multnomah Falls along the Old Scenic Hwy (Historic Columbia Gorge Hwy).
For context, the trailhead was about 32 miles (45 minutes drive) east of Portland and 30 miles (30 minutes drive) west of Hood River or 11 miles (15 minutes drive) west of Cascade Locks.
Find A Place To Stay
Bottom up sweep from the trail showing this falls really is like a mini-me version of Horsetail Falls
Looking out from behind the waterfall
View of the falls from the opposite side
Related Trip Reports
Related Top 10 Lists
No Posts Found
Related Itineraries
Trip Planning Resources
Nearby Accommodations
Featured Images and Nearby Attractions
Visitor Comments:
Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...No users have replied to the content on this page
Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:
If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall
Nearest Waterfalls
