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Snowshoeing - Horsetail Falls, Alpine 2/3/25



Sample Itinerary:

8:00 am - Carpooling

9:00 am - Trailhead Parking Lot

11:45 am - Waterfall

12:00 pm - Lunch

12:15 pm h Hike back down

1:30 pm - Parking Lot


Parking lot is located just above the Alpine Rodeo Fairgrounds and the mountain bike course. When you pull into the parking lot there are no signs for Horsetail Falls, only the Deer Creek to Dry Creek sign. When driving up, turn left at the brown sign that says, “rodeo grounds.”


Activity:

Hike/Snowshoe Horsetail Falls Trail - 4.6 miles out and back. Difficult trail. Steep uphill. Excellent woodland waterfall hike. It is uphill steep for a few hours, depending on your speed to the falls, but the cascades are worth it. The falls really do look like a horse's tail. Continue up the trail til you see the meadow. It is a slanted steep meadow you will recognize from the break in the trees. You are now almost 2/3rds of the way there. Continue up steep woodland trail and cross 2 streams with log bridges. The views of the valley are spectacular. After that you will see a wooden post sign. It will not say Horsetail Fall on it, just Dry and Deer Creek. Someone has hand carved the words "Falls" into it with a nail. This is your only marker and means you are almost there! Go to the left of the sign up the trail. Approximately 50 ft up on the left fork from this trail you will see on the left of the trail some rope railing. This is your path down to the falls. Continue following this narrow trail til you see the falls. You will then see a steep trail that takes you to the base of the upper falls. Head down for a picnic directly next to the cascades. All Trails Trip Report


Bathrooms - No

Cell Phone Reception - patchy

Dogs - yes


Tips:

Sledding -

  • Even if the weather feels warm, make sure to bring water proof pants and gloves/mittens for the sled down. Otherwise you will be wet and cold!

  • Bring goggles if there is fresh powdery snow. Make sure to zip car keys/phone in your pockets so you don’t lose them.

  • If anyone wants to invest in an actual hike sled you can buy a zipfy at Walmart.com for around $50. They are much easier to control and your butt is several inches off the ground so you are less likely to get hurt. 

  • If the snow conditions aren’t great or much had melted, I would definitely warn the group to get off their sleds before the pine section where there can be rocks.


Gear: Microspikes or Snowshoes (may rent or bring own), Snowshoe poles (may rent or bring own), Winter waterproof boots, Liner pants (not cotton), Ski pants, Gaiters (optional for deep snow), T-shirt (not cotton), Long sleeve shirt (not cotton), Fleece or down insulating layer, Waterproof jacket, Gloves, Hand-warmers, Neck Gaiter (optional), Daypack with waist belt, 1-2 L water in water bottles or water pouch (if warm weather), 1 snack per hour on activity, Sunglasses, Knit hat, Sunscreen, Camera, Personal first aid kit, Sled


Rentals: 

Snowshoes: $12 (UVU- includes pole and overboots or $10 only snowshoes); $13 (BYU Outdoors Unltd); $10 (Out N’ Back in Orem)

Overshoes: $6 (UVU Outdoor Adventure); $5 (BYU Outdoors Unltd)

Poles: $4 (Out N Back); $5 (BYU Outdoors Unltd)

Gaiters (cover ankles from getting snow): $3 (BYU Outdoors Unlt)




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