Crowds Return to Yosemite for a Chance to Glimpse 'Firefall' Waterfall

[dalton99a]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/crowds-return-to-yosemite-for-a-chance-to-glimpse-firefall-waterfall-11644942532

Crowds 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.

“It’s 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 isn’t obstructed by mountains and the valley’s walls, hitting the eastern face of the park’s giant granite rock, El Capitan. And when the waterfall is flowing, it lights up the water.

[citizenschallenge]

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]

3. Welcome to DU!

If you missed out on Valentine Week, here's a couple hearts.

[crickets]

2. Gorgeous! nt

[Emile]

4. Simply amazing!

[DFW]

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]

6. Journalists, astronomy, day length, nature, whatever . . ..

[DFW]

7. I've heard you can bribe almost anyone or anything for a photo op

But Mother Nature? Is nothing sacred?

[dalton99a]

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.

[DFW]

9. AHA!

So somebody DID fool Mother Nature. I knew it!