Guide to Yosemite’s “Firefall”
Why Go
"Firefall", is an incredible natural phenomenon in Yosemite National Park 🏞️, created by the setting sunlight reflecting from the Horse Tail Falls and producing an effect of flowing lava!.
The conditions for this to happen are very specific. It occurs once a year, usually in Mid-February, you need a reservation for the park entrance, snow and rain for the waterfalls, clear skies (little to no clouds), a good viewing site, timing, sunset, and of course luck!
In the past few years, this event has become more like a popular "festival", gaining popularity with photographers and visitors alike. So it helps to plan a bit. A Must add this to your travel Bucketlist!
Enjoy and recreate responsibly.
Tip: Californians plan your school mid-winter break to visit Yosemite and experience this phenomenonGuide
Here is a quick guide for first-timers to plan for this experience
🎟️ Reserve your day-use park pass in advance as there are only limited passes per day. Also, remember to ask the Park Ranger for the Horse Tail "Firefall map, showing the route to the parking spots.
⏰ Get there early. Ideally 2 hours before sunset. Factor in your driving time too, if you are staying outside the park (we stayed at the fabulous Autocamp Yosemite), Also, factor in the 1.5 to 2 mile walk from the parking lot to the viewing site. You can bike too if you have one!
📍There are designated parking spots on Northside Drive. Yosemite Valley Lodge is perhaps the best of the lot. See map below
🔭 The El Capitan picnic area on the Northside drive is a good reference to find a spot to best see this phenomenon.
🎒Take a light chair or sleeping bag to sit on the snow, blanket, flashlight, some snacks, and water or wine :)
📸 Stick with one camera + an iPhone :). These pictures were taken between 5:25 and 6:25 pm, Nikon D60, 55-200MM AF-S Nikkor, 1/320th, f/5.6, ISO 200.
😎: Don't be just fixated on the camera. Take time to enjoy the "festive" moment with people waiting around in anticipation. We have all been deprived of normal social interactions in the past year. So take a moment to interact and say hello!
Map
Remember to download this map from NPS website or pick from the park entrance. As you can see, in 2021, several restrictions were in place to ensure safety and reduce crowds to protect the parks resources.
