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Waterfall Wednesday in Oregon – Horsetail and Ponytail Falls
Waterfall Wednesday in Oregon – Horsetail and Ponytail Falls, Old Parkdale Inn

By Mary Pellegrini

Waterfall Wednesday in Oregon - Horsetail Falls

With winter and spring come winter storms and snow pack melt, supplying Oregon scenic rivers the water needed to create our wildly beautiful and renowned waterfalls. And it's certainly not too early to start planning your Oregon vacation that should involve chasing waterfalls.

Horsetail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge

Horsetail falls in the Columbia River Gorge Named for its characteristic form, Horsetail Falls plunges 176 feet within view of the Historic Columbia River Highway's "Waterfall Corridor". Just east of the falls is a great picnic spot to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area and watch the passing freight trains

Upstream from Horsetail Falls, Horsetail Creek shoots through a narrow crack into a large pool in front of a deep recess, which allows a trail to pass behind Ponytail Falls. This is one of the more favored waterfalls in Oregon for photographers, mainly for pictures looking out from behind the falls. Though the falls are only about 1/3 mile from the trailhead, the trail is steep, gaining about 250 feet in roughly 1/3 mile, hence the moderate difficulty rating.

Horsetail Creek shoots through a narrow crack into a large pool in front of a deep recess, which allows a trail to pass behind Pony Tail

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We’re your home base for exploring  and enjoying the Hood River Valley and beyond. After a full day, you’ll love the peace and tranquility of the Old Parkdale Inn. Relax in the gardens, perhaps with your favorite beverage, by the bonfire, roast some s’mores, weather permitting of course.

What’s to do

The Hood River Fruit Loop is located in the beautiful Hood River Valley at the foot of majestic Mt. Hood offering you a variety of wines, fruits, vegetables, flowers, ciders, and food. Many outdoor adventures, such as kayaking, windsurfing, skiing, snow boarding, and hiking, await. Mt. Hood Meadows, Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, and Timberline Ski areas are only a short drive away, as is the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood National Forest where trails and wildlife abound.

Book your stay at the Old Parkdale Inn and take advantage of our partnerships for adventure discounts
Wet Planet Whitewater Adventures – ask us for a discount code: $10 each person on your raft adventure
Cascade Canyon Guide – request code for 10% off trips
Heart of the Gorge Sailing - request link for 10% select sails
Offers for our registered guests only and our guests must redeem during stay.

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Waterfall Wednesday in Oregon – Horsetail and Ponytail Falls, Old Parkdale Inn

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4932 Baseline Dr, 

Mount Hood Parkdale, 

OR 97041, United States  

(541) 352-5551  parkdale@hoodriverlodging.com