You will need reservations for February 2023

Forrest Brown, CNN • Published on February 9, 2023

Editor’s Note – Sign up for “Unlocking the World,” CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news about destination openings, inspiration for future adventures, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments.

(CNN) – One of social media’s hottest darlings is set to make another splash in the coming weeks.

It is a spectacular display of nature in orange color called “Firefall”.

This happens when sunlight and water cooperate in the right way in Yosemite National Park in California to create the unforgettable effect.

For the 2023 season, the first one comes this February. (A possible second occurs in the fall.)

The lava-looking spectacle occurs at Horsetail Fall, which flows over the east edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, according to the National Park Service.

It is a small waterfall and usually flows only during winter. But given the amount of precipitation California has received this winter from a series of storms drowning in the Pacific Ocean, the odds should be good for a great show.

Reservations required this year

Last year no reservations were required. But you will need this time for certain dates to enter the park. They are:

• February 10-12
• February 17-19
• February 24-26

Here’s a stunning Instagram shot from February 2019.

magicphoto78/Instagram

Yosemite also has some tips for people who want to take in the view.

• Bring warm clothes and a flashlight or flashlight for each person in your party.

• Remember, this is winter in the Sierra Nevadas. Snowy and icy conditions are the norm — especially this winter.

• Wear warm shoes and bring traction devices for your boots.

• Be prepared to walk to and from the viewing area. It’s a long walk and it will be cold and dark when you get back to your vehicle.

• Stay away from burnt areas.

And before you make that drive, check Yosemite’s website for the latest road closures. Do it the day before and the day of. The weather changes quickly and unexpectedly in these parts.

Performance is not guaranteed

Yosemite says the dazzling effect only occurs on evenings near dusk with a clear sky when the falls are flowing. Even some fog or a little cloudiness can spoil the effect. Mother Nature makes no promises.

Horsetail Fall is about a mile and a half walk in each direction from the nearest parking lot to the viewpoint near the El Capitan Picnic Area.

Top image: “Firefall” is seen in Yosemite National Park on February 23, 2022. (Photo by Liao Pan/China News Service via Getty Images)

Source link