Horsetail Falls

This shot was taken from the Horsetail Falls trail which starts near the campgrounds at Mono Village on Upper Twin Lake.

The trail is a pretty easy hike if you don’t try to rush it. There are a few switchbacks back and forth along the ridge until you pop out in a small meadow speckled by silver snags - evidence of flooding from beaver dams in years past. To the south you will see the beautiful rolling falls in front of the towering Cleaver and Matterhorn peaks as the only separation between you and Yosemite Valley.

I’d recommend starting this hike at first light, as it takes almost a solid hour to make it to the meadow. In the spring and early summer there is much more water flowing down the falls, but be prepared for patches of snow and swarms of mosquitoes.

Note: As always, beware of bears. Do not feed them. Do not taunt them.
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