Yosemite Firefall 2022 Guide

Yosemite Firefall was a summertime event that started in 1872 and has continued for almost a century. You can see burning hot embers spilled from the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park to the valley 3,000 feet below. Plenty of photographers visit the location every year for the natural fall at Horsetail Fall, and every photographer waits there to capture the perfect moments of the place.

What is unique in the Yosemite Fall?

The sunlight streams through the waterfall's thin silver, resulting in the color turning into molten orange. You can find the scene dramatic and unbelievable.

The scene may appear as a glowing waterfall from a distance. It is the owners of the Glacier Point Hotel who conducted the fall, and David curry, the founder of Camp Curry, would stand at the fall's base.

Why do we call it Yosemite firefall?

The Glacier Point fall was made from the Glacier Point edge as a tourist attraction. You get to know after seeing the Yosemite Valley is why we know it as the Firefall, not the molten waterfall or anything else.

It was 1872 when the owners of the Glacier Point Hotel made a spectacle. They pushed a real bonfire off the cliff's edge at Glacier Point. When the cascade of red-hot embers falls down the cliff, it seems like a glowing waterfall of light. However, the event began and stopped many times throughout the years. In the mid-1900s, multiple people were coming to view the scene.

What are the ideal conditions to view the natural firefall?

If there is any single cloud in the sky, it can block the sun. As a result, it can destroy the effect. But sometimes cloudy days will help to capture the most exciting photos.

Horsetail Fall remains one of the less-remarkable waterfalls in most of the year. It has an impressive 2,130 feet (650 m), but the small stream doesn't have a great volume like other famous waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Falls. It disappears completely due to drying up in summer through snowmelt and runoff.

At the beginning of February month, everything comes together to turn the waterfall into an international celebrity.

When's the best time to see the Yosemite fiefall?

As soon as the sun sets, Horsetail Fall and the wall will go behind it result of which the sunset hit them. You can witness the magical moment around 5 to 15 minutes before sunset during the latter half of February. It is essential to invest a few hours to get to the correct place.

Hundreds of people visit the Firefall Yosemite National Park from all over the country for the natural Firefall event. It indicates that they are looking for the perfect spot to set up their tripods to get the best angle to capture the perfect moment. If you are willing to go to the parking situation and have sufficient time to walk out to a place to view the scene, you need to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon in the valley. You can spend your lovely time relaxing and enjoying the already-majestic scenery.

The natural fall is a great spectacle of the National Park. What makes it unique is the sun rays hitting on the Horsetail Fall at just the right angle, and it helps to illuminate the upper reaches of the waterfall. The fall will turn even red at sunset.

New Firefall Rules:

The park has implemented new rules for skyrocketing the Natural fall. While traveling here, you can find a restricted zone from Valley Lodge to El Capitan Crossover. You can capture the best views of Horsetail Falls by going to the zone. The restrictions help to decrease traffic jams that can become a problem in recent times.

Horsetail Fall:

Multiple people gather here every year in late February to view the amazing event.

But the scene may be finicky. The location is visible from many viewpoints in the valley. However, if you don't find the conditions perfect, the scene will not happen to glow.

The fall has to flow because if there isn't enough snowpack in February, you will not see enough snow-melting to feed the waterfall. It can tumble 1,570 feet (480 meters) down the east face of El Capitan. There should present a warm temperature during the day to melt the snowpack. The snow will also remain frozen if the temperature remains cool, and Horsetail Fall won't flow. You will not see any waterfall in October due to the lack of runoff while the sun hits at a rough angle.

Secondly, a clear western sky should be present at sunset. If the weather is cloudy, the sun's rays will not come and hit the fall. As a result, it will not light up. In the valley, the winter weather varies highly. If a day begins cloudy, it can clear up by sunset. Viewing the blood-red Horsetail Fall is a supernatural experience.

The bottom line:

You will not find the discovery of the natural Yosemite firefall in books. For many years, the Awahneechee Indians living in the valley knew about its existence. In 1851, white explorers saw the valley first. It is all about the valley and its fantastic scenario. we hope you find our article helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When can you see the fall in the valley?

It happens from October-February at any time when the sun hits the Eastern Side and water flows down the Horsetail fall. If you go between Nov-Jan, you may experience rainstorms. People who stay near the place or are looking to travel during February must visit it.

• Why did they stop the beautiful event?

The event stopped in January 1968 after coming orders from George B. Hartzog and later from the director of the National Park Service. They did it for the overwhelming number of visitors.

• How do you find this lovely spot?

The Horsetail Fall is at the 1,575-foot on the eastern side of El Capitan in the valley.