Every year, during mid to late February, thousands of people travel to “Horsetail Falls,” a waterfall, in Yosemite National Park. They go there to view an amazing visual natural phenomenon known as the “Yosemite Firefall.” Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, the Firefall is visible on the eastern edge of El Capitan, a vertical rock formation. It is called the Firefall because five to fifteen minutes before sunset, the sun’s rays illuminate it so that the waterfall appears molten.
Horsetail Falls isn’t as exciting during the rest of the year, as it only exists because of snowmelt and run-off. In the hot summer months, it fully dries up. In order to see the Firefall there have to be good conditions. For one, the sun, waterfall, and the viewer have to be perfectly aligned. Also, there has to be enough water in Horsetail Fall and nice clear skies because a single cloud could ruin the visual effect.
The Yosemite Mariposa County Website states that the name “Firefall” dates all the way back to 1872 when the Mountain House Hotel created a similar visual by pushing a bonfire off the edge of a cliff at Glacier Point. The descent of the bonfire to viewers below looked like a glowing waterfall that was molten. This was essentially “falling fire” which developed the name “Firefall.” George Hartzog, the director of the National Park Service, shut this down in 1968 because of the fire hazard and damage to the park.
In 1973 a photographer named Galen Rowell discovered a similar phenomenon when he spotted a small waterfall off the shoulder of El Capitan. This became the Yosemite Firefall that is so well known and loved today. Rowell also took the first widely circulated picture in color of the Yosemite Firefall.
The National Park Service states that because the Yosemite Firefall attracts so many visitors each year, a lot of restrictions are placed on the amount of people who can visit during February to see the Firefall. These restrictions are in place because in the past the large crowds have had a negative impact on the park.
The Yosemite Firefall is something that people should visit and add to their bucket list because of how remarkable it is. HHS senior Sienna Sullivan shares, “I’d love to go see it someday!” Also, HHS freshman Charlotte McViney shares,”I’d never heard of it before but after looking it up I was really impressed!” Hingham’s February Break is the perfect opportunity to go and visit so make your plans now for 2026!
