Yosemite’s Annual Firefall Season Has Started
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Yosemite National Park in California is famous for its giant sequoia trees and towering rock formations, such as El Capitan and Half Dome. But in mid-to-late February, the spotlight turns to El Capitan's Horsetail Fall. During this brief period, the seasonal waterfall can glow a bright orange. It looks like lava is pouring down the rock surface. This striking sight is called the "firefall."
What causes the "firefall" effect?
Certain conditions need to be met for the firefall to occur. First and foremost, the waterfall must be flowing. This requires sufficient snowfall and temperatures warm enough to cause melting. The sky must also be clear, since clouds or haze can block the sunlight. In addition, the Sun has to strike the water at just the right angle. This typically happens 5 to 15 minutes before sunset, during a two-week period in February. Even when everything aligns, the fiery glow lasts only about 10 minutes.
Historical connection
The natural firefall is similar to an old Yosemite tradition. From the late 1800s until 1968, park workers pushed burning embers over Glacier Point — a steep cliff above Yosemite Valley — at night. This was done during the summer months and on special weekends to create an artificial firefall for visitors. The practice ended due to environmental concerns. But nature now produces an even more spectacular firefall on its own.
When is the best time to see the firefall in 2026?
In 2026, the best time to catch the firefall will be from February 10 to 28. Unlike in previous years, visitors will not need reservations. However, to protect the fragile landscape, the two easily accessible viewing areas will be closed to the public. Visitors must hike 1.5 miles (2.4 km) each way to see the natural phenomenon. But the effort will be well worth it!
Resources: Yosemite.com, wikipedia.org
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52 Comments
mrsusabout 14 hoursMan fire falls look so cool. I want to go so bad
dovey12about 22 hourshi, I love this article. its so fun and easy to read
frost_dolphinabout 22 hoursI want to go see this so bad. Is it a national park? Maybe I can talk my parents to go there!
hkrules6262about 16 hoursOMG YES IT IS!!!
teddybear442about 16 hoursNo, it's in a national park.
tkhaynes3111 dayi love it- zigazaryketu2 daysI’m the most recent comment! Anyway it looks awesome and I want to go.
sdasds3 daysSo sad i can't visit :((
rozatytyjewe3 dayscool
justthatguy3 daysat first it actually looked like lava, but then I looked at it closer and I saw what is was- buditotuhesy4 daysI have gone to Yosemite 2 to 3 times but never seen it
noralyn4 daysCool
