The natural spectacle draws crowds as Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall illuminates like molten lava in late February.
The Return of Yosemite’s Glowing Firefall: A Captivating Natural Display
At Yosemite National Park, an extraordinary spectacle has drawn crowds to the park’s El Capitan for two weeks every February. The Horsetail Fall, cascading down the granite face of El Capitan, becomes illuminated in an orange glow, resembling molten lava during the sunset hours.
This captivating firefall phenomenon was discovered by chance in 1973 and has since become a sought-after natural event. However, this glowing waterfall can only be witnessed when a rare combination of conditions aligns.
To achieve this dramatic effect, the sun must be in the perfect position—just before sunset, between late February when the sun’s rays align directly through the waterfall. Moreover, clear skies are essential for a good sunset view, and there must be sufficient water flow down the side of El Capitan, which is largely influenced by snowmelt.
The conditions are further reliant on a good snowfall throughout the winter, which allows the spring sun to melt the accumulated snow, ensuring a consistent flow of water over the fall.
When the water flow is heavy, the orange glow becomes particularly striking, making it the ideal time for viewing the phenomenon. Even with a lower flow, the mountain face where the water flows over remains a striking shade of orange, creating a magical effect that continues to mesmerise visitors.
For just a couple of weeks each year, Yosemite’s firefall is a natural display of nature’s beauty, blending light, water, and landscape in a way few other places can match.
