Firefall in Yosemite
Firefall in Yosemite National Park is as close to real life magic as you can get.
For two weeks, the angle of the sun lines up juuuuust right so that it backlights only Horsetail Falls at sunset, making it look like it's on fire.
My first night in the park, wind blew the waterfall away and it didn't happen. On day two, clouds blocked the sun 20 minutes before sunset. The unspoken vibe from the other three photographers at our out of the way spot was, "maybe not tonight." But then, the clouds parted. It was like the waterfall was made of gas and someone threw in a match. Hundreds of people in the valley started to cheer, like their favorite rockstar had just taken the stage.
"Yosemite Firefall" was part of the capstone goal of a cross-country road trip to visit 14 national park sites. The aim was to capture the beauty of our public lands at night. I shot it at sunset in the crown jewel of California during February. The winter air was brisk. Four Mile Trail was out of the way and peacefully quiet. The smell of Yosemite pine was faint, but unmistakable. The sun shining through the waterfall burned bright like a beacon.
Add this jaw-dropping natural event to your home decor. With this photography print of the Yosemite Firefall, you’ll be able to enjoy this rare, fleeting moment every day.