If you’re headed up to Yosemite to catch the Firefall (Horsetail Fall) then listen up.
Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley, from Camp 4 to El Capitan Crossover, is closed for road work until May 2009. Southside Drive east of El Capitan Crossover is open to two-way traffic for access to eastern Yosemite Valley (including Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4).
People entering the park to view Horsetail Fall can drive from the El Capitan Crossover to El Capitan Picnic Area through February 27. This is subject to closure depending on the needs of the construction teams working on Northside Drive or weather conditions.
If you’re headed up expressly to catch Horsetail Fall you’re going to want to call ahead of time and ask about the crossover and if it’s still open. You can reach the NPS by calling (209) 372-0200.
Although the El Cap picnic area (and the adjoining areas) is the prime spot to recreate Galen Rowell’s photo, photos from the last couple of years have proved there are other locations around the park that are just as good, if not better, for shooting and will give you a unique photograph of the Fall. A long telefoto lens and a tripod are all you need.
Good luck and as always, don’t forget to tag your photos on Flickr with “yosemiteblogcom” so we can share your hard work with the world.
Photo by Dale Carlson via Flickr. Captured February 2008.
Comments
2 responses to “Don’t Miss Horsetail Fall”
I didn’t know they still did that. I heard about it when I used to visit Yosemite as a kid, but I also heard they stopped doing it because of fire hazards. I’ve only imagined what it looked like – until now. What a wonderful photo!
Well it’s not fire anymore. It’s actually the suns last rays shining through a waterfall. Happens every year at this time. Galen Rowell was the first “publicized” photo of the experience. Who knows how many amateur photographers were taking it but never published. The waterfall is actuall off the side of El Capitan not Glacier Point where the “real” Firefall was.