Rare Firefall Returns to Yosemite for Just a Few Weeks

California’s Yosemite National Park is known for its awe-inspiring waterfalls, and one of them exhibiting a rare natural phenomenon you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

For two weeks in February, the park’s Horsetail Fall, which sits on the eastern edge of El Capitan and only flows in the late winter and early spring, comes alive with an orange glow that makes it appear as though a ribbon of fire is flowing down the cliffs.

A closer shot from yesterday's #firefall. Still amazed at seeing this and also the rarity of it being visible for only a few minutes out of the entire year. #firefall2017 #yosemitevalley

A post shared by Alex Chiu (@acaurora) on Feb 14, 2017 at 1:01pm PST

When the setting sun strikes the waterfall, it creates a deep orange light, illuminating the waterfall to create a breathtaking illusion known as a “firefall.”

The Return of Firefall I had published photographs of this phenomenon last year. This year, I feel fortunate to have been one of the firsts to witness it. In fact, I just drove back home after seeing this unforgettable moment. This is the Horse tail waterfall in the Yosemite National Park. Every year for a few days in February, the sun sets at a certain angle and illuminates the waterfall in luminescent orange and red, making it look like a molten lava. More information on this phenomenon is here, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/160219-yosemite-firefall-waterfall-sunset-pictures-nature/. #westcoast_exposures #majestic_earth_ #cool_capture_ #photoarena_nature #naturewhisperers #inspiring_photography_admired #dream_image #visitcalifornia #jaw_dropping_shots #gottolove_this #splendid_earth #thebest_capture #b_picturess #igs_america #ig_unitedstates #phototag_it #wildcalifornia_ #NikonLove #globalcapture #ig_exquisite #ig_impulse #viewbugfeature #usinterior #moodygrams #rawcalifornia #firefall #firefall2017

A post shared by Sangeeta Dey (@sangeetadeyphotography) on Feb 13, 2017 at 12:49am PST

The phenomenon requires clear skies and enough earlier snowfall for the water to flow. Millions of visitors visit the park during this time to view it.

#firefall #sunset#waterfall #yosemite #nationalparks #California#2017#valentines #instagram #instagood #instadaily #photooftheday #photography #iphone#traveling#valentinesday

A post shared by JGDSDV (@cjgdsdv) on Feb 15, 2017 at 2:42am PST

The park used to actually create firefalls in the late 1800s by building a fire near the edge of Glacier Point and pushing large piles of coals off of the edge to create the illusion of a flowing fire stream.

That tourist attraction was eventually stopped due to fire hazards, but the natural phenomenon has kept the tradition going today.