Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCrowds Return to Yosemite for a Chance to Glimpse 'Firefall' Waterfall
https://www.wsj.com/articles/crowds-return-to-yosemite-for-a-chance-to-glimpse-firefall-waterfall-11644942532Crowds Return to Yosemite for a Chance to Glimpse Firefall Waterfall
Natural phenomenon makes Horsetail Fall glow a bright orange for about two weeks in February. Sometimes.
By Taylor Umlauf
Feb. 15, 2022 11:28 am ET
This week and next, if conditions are right, a waterfall in Yosemite National Park in California will glow a fiery, bright orange at sunset for a few minutes, a rare annual phenomenon that draws crowds of visitors hoping to catch the moment.
The sight at Horsetail Fall, known as the firefall, only occurs from about five to 15 minutes before sunset in mid- to late February. To see it, the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau says three things need to happen: the viewer must be aligned right with the sun and waterfall, there must be enough water to fuel Horsetail Fall, and the skies must be clear.
Its like catching lightning in a bottle, says Ian Carlson, the manager of Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite. A visitor could be in the right location at the right time and it still might not happen, he says. Still, Mr. Carlson says interest in the event has exploded in the past five years. He partially attributes it to the rise in popularity of the spectacle on social media.
The natural phenomenon can be seen for about two weeks in February when the sun sets to the West at such an angle where the orange glow from sunset isnt obstructed by mountains and the valleys walls, hitting the eastern face of the parks giant granite rock, El Capitan. And when the waterfall is flowing, it lights up the water.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
9 replies, 1869 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (41)
ReplyReply to this post
9 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Crowds Return to Yosemite for a Chance to Glimpse 'Firefall' Waterfall (Original Post)
dalton99a
Feb 2022
OP
citizenschallenge
(2 posts)1. Glimpse of Yosemite Valley's 'Firefall' Waterfall
Sure is beautiful when you can catch it.
Way cooler than the original Fire Falls off Glacier Point.
Great picture!
KS Toronado
(17,325 posts)3. Welcome to DU!
If you missed out on Valentine Week, here's a couple hearts.
crickets
(25,983 posts)2. Gorgeous! nt
Emile
(22,923 posts)4. Simply amazing!
DFW
(54,437 posts)5. If this photo was shot in October, someone has some REALLY strong connections with Mother Nature
After all, according to the article, "The sight at Horsetail Fall, known as the firefall, only occurs from about five to 15 minutes before sunset in mid- to late February."
hatrack
(59,592 posts)6. Journalists, astronomy, day length, nature, whatever . . ..
DFW
(54,437 posts)7. I've heard you can bribe almost anyone or anything for a photo op
But Mother Nature? Is nothing sacred?
dalton99a
(81,590 posts)8. There was a heavy rainstorm last October
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/yosemite-autumn-firefall-trnd/index.html
California's record rain re-ignites Yosemite's famed 'firefall'
David Williams, CNN Published 29th October 2021
(CNN) Some visitors to Yosemite National Park this week were delighted to see a glowing ribbon of water that looked like molten lava cascade down Horsetail Fall on El Capitan.
Horsetail Fall doesn't usually flow at this time of year, but the recent severe storms that swept through the area brought it surging back to life and created the phenomenon known as a "firefall."
The "firefall" usually occurs on clear evenings in late February when the setting sun shines through the fall at just the right angle. The event is such a big attraction that Yosemite required online reservations earlier this year to limit crowds.
Park officials said in a Facebook post on Monday that the Yosemite Valley got more than 6 inches of rain in a 36-hour period and that a few feet of snow fell at higher elevations.
California's record rain re-ignites Yosemite's famed 'firefall'
David Williams, CNN Published 29th October 2021
(CNN) Some visitors to Yosemite National Park this week were delighted to see a glowing ribbon of water that looked like molten lava cascade down Horsetail Fall on El Capitan.
Horsetail Fall doesn't usually flow at this time of year, but the recent severe storms that swept through the area brought it surging back to life and created the phenomenon known as a "firefall."
The "firefall" usually occurs on clear evenings in late February when the setting sun shines through the fall at just the right angle. The event is such a big attraction that Yosemite required online reservations earlier this year to limit crowds.
Park officials said in a Facebook post on Monday that the Yosemite Valley got more than 6 inches of rain in a 36-hour period and that a few feet of snow fell at higher elevations.
So somebody DID fool Mother Nature. I knew it!