Don't Miss Yosemite National Park's Spectacular "Firefall"
Word Count
Reading Level
Alignment
Listen to Article
California's Yosemite National Park is famous for its ancient giant sequoia trees and massive rock formations. These include tEl Capitan and Half Dome. However, from mid-to-late February, the main draw is the Horsetail Fall. The seasonal waterfall flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan every winter. During the last two weeks in February, it often transforms into a stunning "Firefall." The natural phenomenon occurs around 5 to 15 minutes before sunset. It lasts just a few minutes.
Certain conditions have to be met for the Firefall to occur. For starters, there must be enough snow. Also, the temperature has to be warm enough for the snow to melt and flow down the rock's edge. But even a strong waterfall does not guarantee a Firefall.
For that to happen, the skies have to be clear and cloudless. Even a slight haze can ruin the illusion of fire tumbling down the cliffs. Additionally, the Sun has to hit the waterfall at the right angle to set it "ablaze."
Photographers have known about the Yosemite Firefall since the 1940s. However, its popularity has recently risen due to social media. On February 22, 2019, a record 2,200 people crowded into the small viewing areas to see the fleeting light show. Many visitors spilled onto riverbanks and walked over sensitive vegetation. They also left behind a large amount of trash.
Since then, the two easily accessible Firefall viewing areas have been closed to visitors every February. The event can only be viewed by hiking 1.5 miles (each way). Furthermore, reservations are required for park entry during the last three weekends of February.
Resources: Wikipedia.org, Foxweather.com, Travel,and eisure.com
Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
71 Comments
max_is_the_best6 daysI think it is a firefall
kesyjyvi-1665676255847 daysIts so cool, its like fire!!!
marinmoris16127 daysYeah that was what I was thinking with the second picture. That is a good name for it. Lavafall
iceytinec1121 daysI find this very cool but the second picture kinda looks like a waterfall 💧but with lava= Lavafall🔥- nichoalsdab28 daysIt looks like lava is pouring down
hunter4554428 daysWhen I saw the sun will set it ablaze I thought oh the color but then I remembered the sun can set things on fire 🔥 lol I actually thought 😂
finnuwu29 daysIt would make a good background picture tbh..
1stgiada29 daysIt looks like fire falling down a cliff.
student12345679about 1 monthSo cool i wanna go
bellabarnett13 daysi've been there before for my b-day we hiked to the mid-fall or middle part of the falls
thedudeman123about 1 monthit looks like a river of magma just falling off the cliff side. so cool I love it