Horsetail Fall (Yosemite) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Horsetail Fall
Horsetail Fall illuminated by the setting sun
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Location	Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Coordinates	37°43′45″N 119°37′42″W / 37.7291°N 119.6284°W / 37.7291; -119.6284
Type	Horsetail
Total height	650 m (2,130 ft)
Number of drops	2
Longest drop	480 m (1,570 ft)
Average flow rate	very slight flows a few weeks in normal years

Horsetail Fall is a special waterfall found in Yosemite National Park in California. It only flows during winter and early spring. This amazing waterfall is on the eastern side of a huge rock called El Capitan.

If the weather is just right in February, the setting sun can make Horsetail Fall glow bright orange and red. It looks like the waterfall is on fire! People call this natural event the "Firefall." This name reminds us of an old man-made event in Yosemite that also looked like a fire.

What is Horsetail Fall?

Horsetail Fall gets its water from rain or melting snow. It flows down in two separate streams next to each other. The stream on the east side is bigger, but both are quite small.

The eastern stream drops about 470 meters (1,540 feet). The western stream drops about 480 meters (1,570 feet). This makes the western stream the second-highest waterfall in Yosemite that flows through the air every year. Ribbon Fall is the highest.

After these drops, the water gathers and flows down another 150 meters (490 feet) over steep rocks. So, the total height of Horsetail Fall is about 620 to 630 meters (2,030 to 2,070 feet). You can see and take pictures of the fall from a small open area. This spot is near a picnic area on the north road, just east of El Capitan. Because it only flows at certain times of the year, Horsetail Fall is sometimes called a seasonal waterfall.

The Firefall Phenomenon

For a couple of weeks around mid-February, the setting sun can light up Horsetail Fall. This creates an amazing sight that looks like a blazing waterfall. This evening show lasts about 10 minutes if the conditions are good. People often call it the "firefall."

For the firefall to happen, several things need to be just right:

• There must be enough snow to melt.
• The temperature needs to be warm enough for the snow to melt and create water for the fall.
• The sky must be clear so the sun can shine through.
• The sun needs to be at the perfect angle to light up the waterfall.

Because of these conditions, the firefall does not happen every year.

The famous photographer Ansel Adams took pictures of the firefall in 1940. Later, Galen Rowell made it even more famous when he photographed it for National Geographic in 1973.

Today, the firefall has become very popular because of pictures shared on social media. The best dates to see it are often announced. Many photographers and visitors now gather to see this event. This large number of people caused some harm to the plants in the area. Because of this, the National Park Service closed two of the best viewing spots in 2020 to protect the park.

See also

In Spanish: Horsetail Fall para niños