Horsetail Falls

The following was something I started writing a couple of weeks ago after my first hike of the year. It was the catalyst for getting this website going because I figured that Facebook wasn’t the best place to do what I wanted to do.

Getting there is… fun?

For my first hike this year I chose Horsetail Falls in Alpine, Utah. Directions here. This is the same trail I started with last year in June. I love this hike but I really need to stop doing this one first thing. It is a moderately difficult hike especially after a long winter and 5-month quarantine. I got to the trailhead around 10 am and the parking area was over full. This was not unexpected since it was only a few days after the state started allowing people in the mountains again. Even though the parking area was full the trail was quite empty. I went long stretches without seeing anyone else but I was passed up more times than I care to admit. The trail is around 2 miles up with an elevation gain of about 1600 ft. It took me about 2 hours with many stops along the way to make it to the base of the waterfall. Just in time for lunch.

2 hours with a waterfall.

After taking the super-hidden shortcut to the base of the falls, I found my favorite place to sit, front and center. No one was around the base when I got there so I got to do lunch in peace (mmm peanut butter!!) but it didn’t last long. The falls weren’t nearly at full flow but it’s still an amazing view. Pictures hardly do it justice.

I sat in front of the waterfall for the better part of two hours. The sun was shining with a few fluffy clouds breaking the light the water spray from the falls cooled the air. The warmth of the rocks, the smells of the mountains and the roaring sound of the falls enveloped me. Its the most relaxed I’ve been all year. I just sat there and meditated and lost track of the time.

People came, climbed around the falls, took their selfies and IG photos and left. Dogs came by and sat with me until their people called them away. I continued to sit and enjoy the ambiance. When I finally stood to head back, I lingered, not wanting to leave.

As I made my way back down into the comparatively hot air of the valley below I passed many people on their way up. I chatted with them quickly and gave them hope that they were almost there, as you do.

I’ll be revisiting this waterfall again, possibly in June when the water is in full and I’m hopefully in better hiking condition. If anyone wants to join me I’d love to get a group going. My next hike will most likely be Lower Bell Canyon falls.

I leave you with a video of the falls that i spent time with.