Yosemite

2/20-2/22, 2021

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 ...

Tunnel View
We made our first stop at the classic Tunnel View. It was a nice clear day to visit this iconic vista point.

Yosemite Valley
Before checked in to the lodge in Yosemite, we took a short walk around the Cook's Meadow in the Valley where the ground was still covered by snow from the last few days. Although it was a busy weekend (due to the firefall event), it was relative quiet and not crowded (compared to other popular places) in this open valley floor.

Sunset at Tunnel View
Since we arrived at the park in the late afternoon, we decided not to go to see the firefall today (as we may not be able to find a good location); instead we went back to Tunnel View again for the sunset. The cloud hovering above the valley made it a beautiful way to conclude the day.

The Second Day ...

Early morning in Yosemite Valley
I drove to the Valley View for the sunrise. I arrived ~45 minutes before sunrise time, however, I found the parking was already full with many cars stuck there. I decided to go for my backup plan: Tunnel View again. When I got to the Tunnel View, there were already a crowd of people with tripods lining up along the view point. Without any cloud in the clear sky, it was not a very dramatic sunrise morning...

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 .

Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is a seasonal lake that it is fullest in spring and early summer, and dries up in the late summer (and is often referred as Mirror Meadow in those months). When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. We were surprised that there were so few people on this trail (one of the most popular trails in summer) and we could have the perfect mirrored scene to ourselves.

Yosemite Valley
After a short break, we started to prepare our visit to the firefall. Due to the popularity of the event, restrictions are in effect during mid- to late February each year (February 12 through 24 in 2021) daily from noon to 7 pm. We drove to the Camp 4 parking lot at ~ 11:30AM, and found it was almost full and we were lucky to get one of the last (and best) spots. Since we still had plenty of time, we decided to walk across the valley to the Swinging Bridge to enjoy the majestic winter landscape.

Horsetail Fall (Firefall)
After a quick picnic in the parking lot, we started our 1.5-mile (one-way) walk to El Capitan picnic area for firefall viewing. Northside Drive had one lane closed to vehicles so pedestrians could walk safely on the road between the viewing area and Yosemite Falls parking. We picked a spot on the roadside with a good view before reaching the El Capitan picnic area, and began our 4-hour wait for sunset. After we set up our chairs and settled down to relax, Woanyu found she left the portable battery charger in the car and she decided to walk back to the parking lot to get the battery (an additional 1-hour 3-mile round-trip walk...).
The firefall started at ~ 5:28PM and last for about 15 minutes. Although some people claimed it was not as good as yesterday (as it was too clear today to make it as red as possible), it was still a surreal nature phenomenon worth the wait.

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 ...

Early morning in the Valley

Lower Yosemite Fall
Although the Lower Yosemite Fall is one of the most popular and accessible attractions and we have been to Yosemite so many times (this is my 12th visit to Yosemite), our last time to the Lower Yosemite Fall was more than 20 years ago. The short loop trail rewards with spectacular views of both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. The good thing to walk to the base of the Lower Fall in winter is you will not get wet.

Valley View
On the way to exit the valley, we stopped by the classic Valley View. Although it was close to mid-day with harsh daylight, it was still one of the best views of the Yosemite Valley.

Tuolumne Grove
Tuolumne Grove on the Tioga Road is one of the few groves with giant sequoia trees in Yosemite. When snow covers the ground in winter the trail to the Tuolumne Grove turns into delightful cross-country and snowshoe tracks. We bought new pairs of snowshoes before the trip so we could enjoy some winter sport in this trip. It was about 1.5-mile (one-way) with ~ 500 feet descending into the grove where there are around a dozen of mature giant sequoia and a dead tunnel tree. It was not too bad to climb back 500 feet even with our snowshoes as the snow on the trail was already packed solid enough.

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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