Yosemite

2/20-2/22, 2021 

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 For a couple of weeks each February, the Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park appears to be set ablaze by the setting sun, a fleeting evening spectacle known as the “firefall.”  Though renowned photographer Ansel Adams captured the gleaming waterfall in 1940, the “firefall” didn’t become widely known until National Geographic photographer Galen Rowell documented it in 1973.  The geometry of the Yosemite Valley confines the firefall to mid-February, typically in the 15 minutes before sunset from February 16 to February 23. But weather plays a crucial role in whether the firefall pours down El Capitan’s eastern side:  1) it needs enough snowpack and enough snowmelt to feed the waterfall to make the Horsetail Fall flowing; 2) the western sky must be clear at sunset so the sun's ray can light up the Horsetail Fall.

Getting there ...

We started our journey at ~10:30AM (after Woanyu's Zumba class) and had a 4+ hours smooth drive to Yosemite (although we struggled a little to find a restroom in Oakdale because the McDonald's there closed their lobby and restroom for visitors/customers...).   Due to current health guidelines, reservations are required to drive into Yosemite National Park.  With the high popularity of the firefall event (thanks to the social media), additional restrictions are in effect during mid- to late February (February 12 through 24 in 2021) daily from noon to 7 pm.  This is our 2nd time to try to catch the firefall as our 1st attempt in 2017 did not have a good weather.

 

The First Day ...

 

 

The Second Day ...

 

On the way back to the hotel, I stopped by the Swinging Bridge where you can get a perfect reflection of the Yosemite Falls in the calm Merced River . 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

   

There was a huge crowd when we all walked back to the parking area after the firefall is over.  If we come back again for the firefall, we will probably avoid this popular view area and try to find some other more unique vintage  viewpoint with less crowd...

The Third Day ...

   

   

 

 

 

 

   


 

Going Home ...

After returning back to the trailhead at the Tuolumne Grove and having a quick lunch in the car, we were ready to head back home.   It was another short trip for us during this pandemic period, and we were able to continue to enjoy the nature safely.   We finally got the chance to witness the famous Horsetail Fall turn into a firefall during the magic 15 minutes sunset time.  It was a good reason to come back to visit Yosemite again!


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