The Yosemite Fall To Transform Into Yosemite Firefall In February

The incredible Yosemite phenomenon is happening next month, but you'll need booking to see it.

The fire-fall can only occur if there is enough snow in the mountains to trigger the event. The snow melts as temperatures rise in the middle to latter part of February, supplying water to the cascade. On bright evenings, the sun's rays reflecting off the water produce an effect similar to a cascade made of liquid fire. It takes roughly 10 minutes for the orange and red light to fully illuminate the area.

The National Park Service (NPS) has stated that tourists would need to book visits to the park on weekends in February when the Firefall may occur in order to avoid or ease congestion and also conserve Yosemite's sensitive natural wealth. As a result, Yosemite will need reservations around the clock on February 10-12, February 17-19, and February 24-26.

Moreover, The National Park Service has issued a reminder to tourists that they must pay the $35 per vehicle admission charge or have an annual or lifetime national park ticket in order to enter Yosemite.

The National Park Service says that because of how popular the event has become, it has had negative effects on the surrounding neighbourhood in the form of traffic jams, parking problems, security worries, and damage to historical and cultural artefacts.

As a consequence, The National Park Service (NPS) is implementing additional limitations in Yosemite in order to reduce traffic, crowding, and the overall effect of visitors.

To facilitate pedestrian traffic between the observation deck and Yosemite Falls car-park, one lane of Northside Drive will be restricted to auto-mobiles. In addition, Northside Drive may be totally restricted to vehicles for around half an hour just after dusk on popular weekend days.

Similarly, between the El Capitan Crossover and the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area, parking, halting, and unloading passengers will be forbidden but Southside Drive will be accessible to traffic. Commuters will also be restricted from using the road or the side walks nearby.

The NPS also warns that roadways may be dangerous due to snow and ice.

The best place to observe Horsetail Fall is from the overlook at the El Capitan picnic spot, which is about 1.5 kilometres from the Yosemite Falls parking lot. Yosemite National Park offers a free shuttle service between Yosemite Village and Curry Village and the Yosemite Falls parking area, so visitors may park elsewhere in the park and walk to the observation location if the lot fills up.

Reservations for weekends in February are halfway full, but the NPS has encouraging news for those who still want to view the fire-fall: it is open. Keep in mind, however, that these bookings are likely to disappear quickly.

Information regarding the Firefall closures, as well as a park map highlighting road closures, parking restrictions, and other pertinent details, may be found on the Yosemite Horsetail Falls webpage.

 

Source: travelawaits.com