“Firefall”: Nature-loving photographers are flocking to California’s Yosemite National Park to witness a particularly unique phenomenon that shimmers for a brief moment of winter.
“Firefall” occurs when the setting sun reflects off of Horsetail Falls at a certain angle, making the waterfall emit a fiery orange glow. It is highly dependent on environmental factors: If the skies are cloudy, that orange light will not hit the east side of El Capitan – the vertical rock formation where the falls are located – and the phenomenon won’t occur.
The event brings in waves of tourists and photography enthusiasts in the dead of winter. SF Gate spoke to visitors who had to weigh trudging for hours through waist-deep snow against walking along restricted roads, risking a hefty ticket from rangers. What’s more, those wanting to stake out a good vantage point had to arrive several hours early and wait in the cold for the firefall to appear.
Here are some others incredible shots from people who apparently made one or more of those decisions:
My mother and I spent the last five days of her life in Yosemite. It was her favorite place in the world.
When she was younger, she got to see the REAL firefall. It was a summertime event where they would shove burning embers over the edge of Glacier Point 3000 ft down to the valley below. This was done from 1872 to 1968. Now the natural event mirrors the old. Beautiful. And less chance of a fire!
That is a nice story to imagine. Im sorry for your loss, but also feel kind of your and her happineas. wish all good !
Thank you for this piece of knowledge! I wasn’t aware of that! Hope your mother feels good where she is! And you too… Best!