Yosemite Firefall is one of the most amazing spectacles of Yosemite National Park. In mid to late February, the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at just the right angle to illuminate the waterfall and give the illusion that orange and red lava is flowing off the cliff and tumble 1,570 feet (480 meters)
The interest comes from all over the country.
S.F.GATE reports the following:
Amid a year marked by low rainfall, Yosemite's famous "firefall" is running dry.
The natural marvel usually occurs in the first two weeks of February on the east side of El Capitan. When Horsetail Fall is flowing and the weather conditions are just right, the setting sun illuminates the falls with a fiery glow.
Monday marked the first day when the sun was positioned for the firefall, but park spokesperson Scott Gediman says there wasn't any water coming off Horsetail.
Firefall timelapse - below
Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, dropping a total of 2,425 feet from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall. Wikipedia
Address: Yosemite Village, CA 95389
Elevation: 5,404′
Height: 2,425′
Longest drop: 1,430 ft (436 m)
Same falls different perpsective
KMPH FOX 26 is reporting:
Park officials say Horsetail Fall is dry as of Feb. 6, and there is no rain or snow in the forecast. The National Weather Service said about an inch of snow is possible on Monday and showers are possible on Tuesday, but it’s unclear if that will be enough water to flow down the falls.
If you still want to make the trek, there are new rules you'll want to know about.
Park officials had announced a new program to see the phenomenon that happens every year between from Feb. 12 through the 26 because it's gotten so popular.
Park officials have created an event zone inside Yosemite Valley, from the Yosemite Valley Lodge to El Capitan Crossover. Here's how it works:
Visitors will be able to enter the event zone and view Horsetail Fall by walking from El Capitan Meadow or the Yosemite Falls Parking Area, taking a naturalist-guided tour, or picking up a permit to park inside the event zone. Within the event zone, the right-hand lane of the road will be converted to event parking for 300 vehicles. To park within the event zone, free parking permits will be required. There are 250 free permits available through online reservations and 50 permits will be issued on a first come, first served basis each day. KMPH
The reason this is so important to me is that next week my Brother and his family are coming from Wisconsin,and we plan to go spend some time in Yosemite and it would be great to see this again. Growing up my brother Rich and my sister Susan and my parents and I went to Yosemite a lot. It was a very special place for my parents and it became just as special to us. I remember seeing the firefall at a very young age and yet it seems like just yesterday. I can remember vividly the specter of the fire coming over the mountain, or so it seemed. The falls were always full and I remember always getting wet from the spray, and walking the many trails that Yosemite has to offer. Next Thursday we will be there just enjoying the fun of being together and enjoying as a family again its beauty only this time sharing again with our kids, that makes even more special.
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Gallery photo from Google