On the Trail: Horsetail Falls trail climbs rugged glacial cliffs

While the temperatures have been erratic recently, with snow on the mountain tops and at least two ski resorts sometimes open - Mammoth and Boreal - there's still some fine hiking out there. And after two weekends of trying, I finally got to my old favorite, Horsetail Falls at Twin Bridges off Highway 50 West.

The trailhead is at 6,080 feet, not much above Carson City's level and it's about a 40-mile drive to Twin Bridges. You'll see the falls from the highway just before an elbow curve; parking is a few hundred feet past the bridge over Pyramid Creek.

Most of the facilities are now closed for the season, but one toilet is still open. You'll see a big trail map just past the facility and you can pick your starting path there. To the left you'll scramble up a rocky trail on one side of the Pyramid Loop; the trail to the right follows Pyramid Creek most of the way but eventually joins up with the other trail.

Lots of small waterfalls and pools here, but be cautious about jumping in. The current can sweep people or dogs away.

From there it's over a lot of giant flat rocks that clearly show the marks of the glacier that carved the canyon some 10,000 years ago.

The flat rocks were cleared of slippery ground rocks last week thanks to the recent rains; they can be slippery in mid-summer. You'll soon see the falls emerging from the trees to the left.

Last week Horsetail Falls were in full flow, about as furious as in spring during the snow melt. How long before they thin out depends on, I suspect, our weather. However, sometimes the utility that built the dam over by Echo Lake opens the flood gates and beefs up the falls.

About a mile in, you'll come to the marker pole that is