Horsetail Falls, Alpine, Utah

This hike has been on our to do list for a while and yesterday was the perfect day to go. We wanted to visit the waterfall while it's at its peak for runoff from all of the snow melt and we were not disappointed. The trail is called Dry Creek, but it is anything but dry this time of year. The trail parallels the creek almost the entire way, but it is rarely seen from the trail. The trail crosses several smaller streams and is lined by tall pine trees almost the entire way, providing plenty of shade. It is easy to pass right by the falls without even knowing. About 1 3/4 miles into the hike, you will get to a sign where the trail splits. Take the trail on the left and after about 50 feet, you will see an area that just looks like water had washed out the side of the path a bit. This is actually where you turn off to get to the bottom of the falls. It's a bit of a scramble to get down, and the trail is much narrower as you walk through the thickets. You will cross several little streams and eventually will pop out at the bottom of a rocky steep hill. Keep heading north for a few hundred feet and listen for the waterfall. There are several large rocks that work very well for benches to sit on and rest while enjoying the view of the falls. There is also a way to scramble down to the water if you want to get even closer. You can also get to the top of the falls if you continue on the main path past the turn off to the bottom. You will go around a rocky, steep corner on the trail and will need to go up the rocks and boulders on the left to get to the canyon at the top of the falls. The falls truly are beautiful and are worth the 2 miles to get there. The path isn't as steep as some hikes we have been on, but it is uphill the entire way.
 Activity rating: 0-10 
Kid fun: 7 
Difficulty: 7 
Cost: Free