A rare natural phenomenon stunned visitors to Yosemite National Park Wednesday night.
The water cascading from Horsetail Falls on the east side of El Capitan Crag perfectly caught the light of the setting sun, making it glow red and look like a stream of flames cascading down the cliff.
Known as “Fall of Fire”, the event only takes place on certain days in the park towards the end of February, when the setting sun illuminates the falls.
It became such a popular event that park officials had to determine how many people were allowed in the park.
Visitors planning to drive to the park during the last two weekends of February should make reservations, as some campsites are usually available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Falls of Fire illuminated by the sunset in Yosemite National Park. It only occurs in February
Crowds of spectators and photographers gather at the base of El Capitan to watch the fire fall
Wednesday brought a particularly clear evening and sunset to California Park, offering a perfect view of Firefall.
Crowds of spectators watched in awe as professional and amateur photographers snapped from rows of cameras mounted on tripods.
“When the sun hits at just the right angle, it reflects off El Capitan,” Scott Gedimann, Yosemite National Park’s public affairs officer, told AFP.
“It’s a combination of the sun reflecting off the water, a clear sky and flowing water. When it all comes together, it’s magic,” he added.
The phenomenon only lasts a few minutes while the angle of light is just right.
The falls drop 650 feet into El Capitan and flow only in the winter, when enough snow has fallen and temperatures are warm enough to melt.
The falls drop 650 feet into El Capitan and only flow in the winter when enough snow has fallen and temperatures have been warm enough to melt
A few sunsets reflecting off the cliff where El Capitan’s Horsetail falls
Photographers who flocked to the park raved about the beauty of the sighting.
“Depending on how the sun hits the mountain or rocks, it creates a really good fire effect for photographers and you can get a nice shot out of it,” said photographer Whtiney Clark. She traveled from San Francisco to see the falls.
Terry Cantrell came from Fresno, California to take her own photos.
“The pictures I saw [of the firefall] is just beautiful,” she told AFP.
“Everybody wants their own, so I try to do that,” she added.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
