"The annual event, commonly known as Firefall, is a natural spectacle when the setting sun in the late afternoon hits Horsetail Fall, a 1,570-foot waterfall on the east side of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. When the conditions are just right usually during clear days for about two weeks in mid-to-late February water in the falls appears to glow orange and red, like lava."
"Crowds and traffic became such an issue that in 2021 the park began requiring weekend visitors during the February Firefall dates to have reservations to enter the park as a way to limit congestion and protect crowds from trampling stream banks and parking illegally along Yosemite Valley's senstive meadows. Late last week, however, Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden told a meeting of local tourism officials that the reservation requirement will be dropped the this year."
Yosemite National Park will drop the weekend reservation requirement for February Firefall visitors and instead implement on-the-ground crowd management. Firefall occurs when late-afternoon sun illuminates Horsetail Fall, usually during clear days for about two weeks in mid-to-late February; this year it is expected Feb. 10–26. The park will require visitors to park near Yosemite Lodge, Yosemite Village and other eastern-valley facilities and walk 1.5 miles each way to photo areas near Horsetail Fall. Shuttle buses will operate at some times, one lane of Northside Drive will be closed for pedestrians, and staff presence will be increased to handle congestion. The reservation change follows 2021 limits introduced to protect sensitive meadows and reduce unsafe parking.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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