Winter Phenomenon: ‘Firefall' Returns to Light Up Yosemite National Park
No, that isn't golden lava flowing at the national park
By NBC Bay Area staff ••
Each year, the Horsetail Fall at Yosemite National Park is illuminated when the sun sets at a specific angle. For about 10 days each February, the waterfall is lit up by the sun to look like flowing lava. Take a look at this time-lapse video taken with an iPhone.
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall is now back at Yosemite National Park.
The firefall, which happens each February for about 10 days at the park's Horsetail Fall, is a waterfall that appears like golden lava.
Vincent Zeng
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
Vincent Zeng
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
Chijan Lai
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 11, 2017)
Yadira Q Valenzuela
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
Vincent Zeng
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
Vincent Zeng
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
ryan g./ryan.g.415 via Instagram
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
DuMarc Photography/dumarcphotography via Instagram
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
Luis Walton/loui_d_photography via Instagram
The annual winter phenomenon known as the firefall returns to Yosemite National Park. (Feb. 14, 2017)
Sangeeta Dey/sangeetadeyphotography via Instagram
Jason @jfernss via instagram
For about a week each year, the setting sun lines up perfectly to Horsetail Falls in Yosemite. If timed right with clear skies, the right temperature and flowing falls, the water will glow bright orange. (Feb. 16, 2017)
@slickaclick_photography via instagram
Here is another angle of El Capitan thanks to getting lucky with weather and perfect conditions to witness this wonder. (Feb. 16, 2017)
Dan Dunn @dtm_photo via instagram
I spent my Valentines Day in Yosemite doing what I do best.... making sweet, sweet love with my camera. (Feb. 16, 2017)
"It is like watching something out of an Indiana Jones movie," said Sangeeta Dey, a photographer who trekked to Yosemite for the annual firefall. "Very surreal!"
The optical illusion is created when the setting sun hits the waterfall just right, over a few nights, making it seem to glow from within.
The firefall at Yosemite is predicted to last until Feb. 23.
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