Ponytail Falls is an 82-foot plunge waterfall on Horsetail Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah County, Oregon, a short climb above Horsetail Falls. The trail runs through a deep recess behind the falling water, making it a favorite of photographers for shots taken from behind the falls.
The falls
Just before it goes over Horsetail Falls, Horsetail Creek shoots through a narrow crack and drops in a single ribbon, about 5 feet wide, into a large pool in front of a naturally eroded cavern. At high water the creek carries around 30 cubic feet per second. The World Waterfall Database, which surveyed the falls in person and checked them against lidar, puts the height at 82 feet; earlier surveys listed 88 feet, and older estimates ran from 100 to 125.
Getting there
The hike starts at the Horsetail Falls Trailhead on the Historic Columbia River Highway, about 2.5 miles east of Multnomah Falls. Eastbound drivers leave I-84 at exit 28 (Bridal Veil) and follow the highway 5.6 miles; westbound drivers take exit 35 (Ainsworth) and drive 1.6 miles west. The trailhead is open from sunrise to sunset with no fee or permits required.
Horsetail Falls Trail #438 climbs steeply from beside Horsetail Falls; keep right at the junction halfway up. The climb gains about 250 feet over a third of a mile, with Ponytail Falls 0.4 mile from the trailhead. The trail continues to Oneonta Creek and Triple Falls, 3.6 miles out and back with 1,446 feet of gain, rated moderate.
When to go
The falls can be visited at any time of year.
On site
The trail passes straight through the cavern behind the falls, so the pool and the water can be seen from the front, the sides and from behind. At the trailhead there is ADA parking across the highway from the picnic area but no restroom. Steep cliffs line the trail, and drones may not be launched there. Dogs must be leashed, and hikers should clean their boots before and after to avoid spreading invasive seeds.
History and name
Signs at the site call it Upper Horsetail Falls, though Ponytail Falls is commonly treated as the official name and may be the older of the two.
Nearby
Horsetail Falls is about 0.1 mile away, directly below on the same creek. Oneonta Falls and Middle Oneonta Falls are each about 0.3 mile away on Oneonta Creek, and Triple Falls, the end of the trail hike, is about 0.7 mile.
Distances are straight-line.