The Yosemite Horsetail Falls Firefall phenomenon is set to come around this late February, with many to anticipate. This is an uncommon natural occurrence that is unsure to happen every year at the edge of mountain El Capitan. The event’s uncommon presence is due to the many conditions it takes for it to happen. If one of them isn’t met, it is highly unlikely that the Firefall will be seen that year. Even so, many travelers, tourists, and photographers wait patiently at the valley floor of El Capitan, for a scenery that takes some luck to experience.
Before Yosemite’s glowing treasure was found, the original owners of the Mountain House Hotel nearby had a tradition that almost replicates the Firefall. The owners would start a bonfire at a cliff at Glacier Point, a popular elevated viewpoint at Yosemite Valley. Spectators would gather up by the bottom of the cliff to watch the flying fiery coal land to the ground. As the coal would fall, it would brighten altogether, almost as if creating a stream of lava coming down from Glacier Point. As fun as it was to watch this event, in 1968, the National Park Service stopped the tradition for the safety of visitors.
Ever since, it seemed like the stream of fire would never be seen again. However, photographer Galen Rowell happened to be at El Capitan when all the conditions for the Firefall came together. As he was driving, he saw the sun’s light create a unique moment that many had not seen before. Once the photograph of the Firefall was taken, that was when Horsetail Falls’ popularity began to rise. Although Ansel Adams was another popular photographer who originally photographed Horsetail Falls in 1952 in black and white. Yet, both of the photographers’ pieces have contributed to the history of the Firefall phenomenon.
Horsetail Falls had never been a great attention at Yosemite as it would often be dry. However, when winter comes, snow begins to melt to create the small waterfall that makes up the natural phenomenon that is so unique to see. This means that lack of snow would simply leave Horsetail Falls dry around the time of the Firefall. Not only is snow what is needed to begin the Firefall, but the sun must also be shining brightly without the coverage of clouds or fog. Even so, some people have seen the Firefall on a cloudy day. Luckily, there is a Yosemite Falls Webcam where you can check out the state of the Firefall before planning a trip to see it.
Now, observing the coming Firefall is quite different from your usual visit to a waterfall. Five to fifteen minutes before sunset, the sky becomes a pink color as the sun shines upon the stream running on El Captain’s edge. As the sun continues setting, its rays concentrate on the water, which glows redder and redder with an orange glow. At that moment, the surrounding viewers set their cameras at the blazing water to photograph the moment.
