waterfall that looks like its on fire

[Tim2121]

Any information about the waterfall in Yosemite Valley that looks like its on fire in the last two weeks of February? When is the best time of day and month to see it when the sun hits it just right that it looks like its on fire?

[only1alphafemale]

....I think what you may be referring to here is the "firefall"~

I dont know if they still do this, but when I was a child I watched the firefall...but thats what it really was. A large fire was stared atop of Glacier Point? ( I think thats where it was ~ but its been 40 years...lol...) and then
the "fire" was pushed over the cliff! It was a beautiful sight to behold!!!!:D

You can probably check with park staff to find out where and if they still do this maybe?

[Tim2121]

Thanks but it is not that one. It is the one that only looks like its on fire the last two weeks of February when the sun hits it at a certain time. I think it is close to El Capitan and I think it is at about sunset when it looks like its on fire but not sure.

[only1alphafemale]

Thanks but it is not that one. It is the one that only looks like its on fire the last two weeks of February when the sun hits it at a certain time. I think it is close to El Capitan and I think it is at about sunset when it looks like its on fire but not sure.

Wow! I havent heard of that one, I would really be interested in knowing about it too~ It would be great to see .....:) I hope someone can post something about it here ... :D

[Yosemite Joy]

Oh my good grief! I found a website!!

http://www.shutterbug.net/techniques/outdoor_travel/1206locations/

The next ingredient you need for the firefall is water. The source of water comes from Horsetail Falls, a small waterfall atop El Capitan. The water basin that drains into Horsetail Falls is around 30 acres. The elevation at the top is 7569 ft. It is cold up there in February. It gets cold enough to freeze any snow or rain into a solid piece of ice. California also has dry years when waterfalls barely run. No water means no waterfall, and no firefall. Like I said, timing is everything, and this can be a rare sight.

Picture Spot
The best location to view the firefall is slightly east of El Capitan near the base of the mountain. You need to be east of Horsetail Falls as the sun sets in the West. Sunlight shining through the waterfall creates the most brilliant colors. There is a small meadow that provides an opening in the forest at a perfect angle. The spot is in between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan. Photographers gather in a large herd at the end of February. The easiest way to find that meadow is to look for a lot of cars parked along Northside Drive for no apparent reason. You have gone too far if you get to the large parking area directly in front of El Capitan.

[only1alphafemale]

Wow ! You Rock YJ~!!! Thanks !!!!! :D

[Kahlua Kid]

The falls are on the cover of the 2008 Yosemite Sierra Visitor's Guide this year - can view the guide online at : http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/flipbook_08/flipbook08.html

[only1alphafemale]

The falls are on the cover of the 2008 Yosemite Sierra Visitor's Guide this year - can view the guide online at : http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/flipbook_08/flipbook08.html


Thanks for the link kahlua, but it wouldnt show me anything !!! Drats ~!
( Not sure if its because of the windows vista ultimate I'm running or not??)

Anyway, I was able to see some great pics of it at the website that YJ posted earlier. They were gorgeous pics !!

[Tim2121]

Thank you for the good information.

[Kahlua Kid]

Hmmm - try: http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/visitguide.html

[only1alphafemale]

Hmmm - try: http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/visitguide.html

Thanks, that worked. I was able to see the cover pictured on this page, however I had the same results as before when I clicked on the cover and was redirected to the same page that , didnt work for me before..... Its a very nice picture on the cover ! :) Thanks again ~!

[fluver]

Hey i will really be interested in it if you tell more abt it

Lisa

fluver.com

[FoothillMama]

Fire falls on Yosemite Valley

It might look like lava flowing out of a volcano, but it’s the annual Firefall from Horsetail Falls in Yosemite Valley that glows after the sun has disappeared below the horizon.

Three conditions need to be just right for the glow: the sky must be clear just as the sun sets, it must be late February for that's when the correct positioning of the sunset happens, and water must be flowing from the fall.

The news article shows an awesome photo of the firefall.....

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/1314969.html

I would love to go see this....

[only1alphafemale]

I would too FHM, and its the right time of year too! Hmmmmm :)........Hey Mtnbreeze? Up for a road trip??? ;)

[MtnBreeze]

Sure I can go the 24th, 25th or 26th...or tomorrow or friday this week....but it is suppose to be cloudy this week so pray for a clear day....if it isn't cludy tomorrow...we could try. That pic in the Merced paper wasn't taken from the meadow tho ;)
But I've seen other pics that showed it from the meadow. Awesome.
I might be able to go any day it is clear by calling work and telling them I'm being late hahahahahaha. Anyway I'm good for last minute plans......Hafta be there around sunset.

[Twolf]

On the TV evening weather last night, they had a photo of this happening this week.

[MtnBreeze]

Ok I was in Yosemite today and there is water ....albeit not alot.....I couldn't stay today till sunset cause I had grand daughter with me who needed to be back here.....so are we going? or should I just go by myself LOL

[dolphins_just_left]

Thanks for posting this, we did not know about it. Will try to catch it one of these years.

[only1alphafemale]

You know I want to go..!!! LOL So anyone else want to come along so we can decide this week or next? Skeeter are you about somewhere? Foothillmama? anyone?

[FoothillMama]

I want to go. How to sneak off is another matter. Gotta figure out what to do with Kiddo. Hmm. But yeah, let's do it -- Today? Possible? What time? Also willing to go next week (hair will look better since it's getting 'done' this weekend -- like lipstick, this may help the falls fall better, no? lol)

[MtnBreeze]

I can go today except I'm suppose to be at the Grind at 6:30ish for game nite. Thinks I could make it back if I don't hafta go anywhere else to drop off anybody. So let me know and today may be the only clear day as it's suppose to rain tomorrow through Monday then partly cloudy....I'd say meet in Oakhurst about 3:30 to be there by 4:30 and then it should sunset about 5:30 so I can be back hahahahahaha

[MtnBreeze]

No responses eh. Ok if anyone wants to do this they hafta call me cause I'm going into town..I can pick people up but then they will have to go to Game night with me before I can take them home :) 7601624

[FoothillMama]

Sorry.... was away from the computer.... yes I want to go, still trying to figure out logistics... will call you...

[FoothillMama]

I just called and left a message (including my work number) on your ans machine.

[FoothillMama]

Just left a second message for you. ??

[FoothillMama]

Note for others: Mtn Breeze and I finally did catch up with each other and decided to go see the firefall next week because the sky seems to be clouding up now. So... anyone wishing to join us, please do! No specific day yet, just waiting for the next clear day. :)

[only1alphafemale]

Next week will work for me, playing it day by day right now, but I would need the ride mtnbreeze. I can probably have "himself" pick me at your house when we got back though? Keep me posted on a possible day! Mtnbreeze, you still have my phone number right?