A hike to the top of Horsetail Falls, part of Pyramid Creek coming out of Desolation Wilderness, is a moderate to difficult hike with some boulder climbing near the top of the falls, especially just below the crest of the falls at Avalanche lake.  The trailhead is at about 6,000 feet, and the top of the falls is at about 7,200 feet.  Most of the elevation in the climb is the last half mile of the approximately two mile trail.

The climb to the top takes about three hours (not including any side trips), and the trip down is slightly less time though equally challenging.

There are spots along Pyramid Creek just below the falls that may be appropriate for kids, however the climb all the way to the top of the falls should not be attempted by pre-teens unless they already have rock slope experience.  The final part of the hike is a climb over large and small rock boulders, and near the falls the trail is windy and exposed to the creek cliffs.  There are other ways up to the top, a few dozen yards to the west, but they are steeper.

At the top, the ground flattens out and offers excellent views of desolation wilderness.  It is a great place to camp overnight for a more thorough exploration of the multiple lakes and streams out of reach of the average hiker and camper.