Yosemite ‘firefall’ viewing guide for 2022. Conditions need to be right for it to happen
It’s almost firefall season in Yosemite National Park, when ephemeral Horsetail Fall can glow with the setting sun for a limited time in February.
Day-use reservations to enter Yosemite won’t be required like they were during last winter’s firefall. Once inside Yosemite, there’s no special parking permits or other reservations needed to see it, but some viewing locations will be off limits to manage crowds, and face masks are required, park officials said.
Conditions have to be right, though – enough water, and clear skies – to catch a glimpse of the thin, seasonal waterfall looking like a streak of lava pouring over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley.
The window of opportunity to see it is usually mid-to-late February. But an exceptionally dry January across the region could foil that, along with there being no rain or snow in Yosemite’s weather forecast in the foreseeable future.
“The long-range forecasts I’ve seen aren’t hopeful so it may not look great” for the beginning of the firefall season, photographer Aaron Meyers told The Bee late this week, but since the phenomenon continues through the end of the month, “there’s still a chance some people may get the chance to see it!”
Meyers added that more snow could still melt at higher elevations, and that it only takes a little water for Horsetail Fall to flow.
Best times to see the firefall in Yosemite Valley
Meyers shares firefall viewing predictions each year on his website, blog.aaronmphotography.com.
Last month, Meyers estimated Feb. 21 (the Presidents Day holiday) to be the best day to see the firefall this year, based on where the light will be in the sky.
“This event occurs when the sun is in just the right spot to reflect off the granite behind the waterfall and cause it to light up,” Meyers wrote. “The sun also needs to be close to the horizon to give off its orange light and thus turn the waterfall orange. It’s amazing how much like fire and lava the water becomes!”
Park officials said “even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish or eliminate the effect.”
Meyers shared sunset start and end times from Feb. 11 to Feb. 28 for firefall viewing that range from as early as 5:22 p.m. to 5:42 p.m.
Where to park and walk to see glowing Horsetail Fall
The spectacle continues to grow in popularity. Thousands travel to Yosemite Valley each February hoping to see the 1,000-foot waterfall glowing golden or orange.
Yosemite officials said some restrictions are tentatively planned from Feb. 10 through Feb. 28 to manage crowds, as there have been during the past couple firefall seasons. That’s included closing one lane of Northside Drive so visitors can use part of the road to walk to a viewing area.
A popular spot to see Horsetail Fall is around the El Capitan Picnic Area, between the Camp 4 campground and El Capitan along Northside Drive.
To get there, first park at the Yosemite Falls parking area, just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge. It’s a 3-mile round-trip hike from there to the viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area (1.5 miles each way). There are vault toilets, along with trash and recycling dumpsters, at the picnic area.
If the parking lot is full near Yosemite Falls, park officials recommend parking at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and then using the free park shuttle buses to get to Yosemite Falls parking/Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Parking, stopping and unloading passengers will be prohibited along many sections of roads in Yosemite Valley during this period, including Northside and Southside drives, and the El Capitan Crossover. People also won’t be allowed to walk in these areas.
However, vehicles with a disability placard can park at the El Capitan Picnic Area or in turnouts on the north side of Northside Drive.
This story was originally published February 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Yosemite ‘firefall’ viewing guide for 2022. Conditions need to be right for it to happen."
