Yosemite National Park’s famous El Capitan granite escarpment turns into what resembles an active volcano 3,000 feet above the valley floor, if not for the lucky ones, a few days a year.

Generally in February the conditions need to be right, including clear skies and plenty of water in the early evening. If the sunset properly backlights a small waterfall known as Horsetail Falls, the cascading water becomes a “firefall” and takes on an orange glow much like lava.

The phenomenon has become so popular lately that Yosemite officials say an increasing number of visitors are destroying native vegetation and disturbing natural habitats, leaving them scrambling for parking and viewing space.

In the hope of reducing environmental damage, Park officials announced Weekend visits to Horsetail Falls in February will now require reservations.

These reservations will be made on a first come, first served basis. www.recreation.gov It starts at 8 am on Monday. Reservation dates are 8-9 February, 15-17 and 22-23 February. No reservation is required for February 1-2.

50% of the reservations for these dates will be released on Monday. Park officials expect spots to fill quickly.

The other 50% of reservations will be released at 8 a.m. two days before a given day. So, for example, if a tourist wants to visit on February 17, reservations for that day will be available at 8 am on February 15.

The reservation fee is $2 and is non-refundable.

Car entry fee is $35 and is good for seven days.

Reno-based photographer Dan Dunn captured the firefall, which he describes as one of his “greatest photographs,” in February 2019, the last of six consecutive trips he began in 2014.

Reno-based photographer Dan Dunn captured the “firefall” in February 2019, which he describes as one of his “greatest photos.” Bright orange and red water erupts from the cliff with the visual intensity of a raging forest fire.

(Dan Dunn)

Bright orange and red water erupts from the cliff with the visual intensity of a raging forest fire.

Dunn said Horsetail Falls offers consistency in capturing natural wonder that sometimes fog-obstructed beaches or even the Grand Canyon cannot provide.

“It’s almost guaranteed to be an incredible show,” said Dunn, 34, who runs his company. own studio. “In 2019, the conditions lined up with snowpack, wind, moisture blowing off the mountain, and light filtering through the clouds, creating perfect orange.”

Dunn, like many others, was inspired to visit the site by photos on social media.

He understands why the park limits the number of visitors.

“There are more and more photographers and traffic in the valley every year,” he said. “And there are actually only two places to shoot, and you can get packed in like sardines in those areas.”

On February 19, 2022, for example, approximately 2,500 people visited the Horsetail Falls viewing areas, according to park officials’ estimates.

They said visitors flocked to river banks to get the perfect shot, at the expense of “increased erosion and trampling of vegetation”.

Similarly, parkgoers have trampled sensitive vegetation in the Merced River, littered the area and left “unsanitary conditions” due to a lack of restrooms, park officials said.

Vault toilets, trash and recycling services are available at the nearby El Capitan picnic area.

Reservations for Horsetail Fall are not required if a park goer already has a day-use reservation for these dates, campsite reservations at Upper Pines, Wawona, Hodgon Meadow, or Camp 4, lodging reservations at Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village . Yosemite West or Foresta at private hotels or resorts. Those with a full-day lift ticket or a season pass for the Badger Pass are also exempt.

Park officials instruct visitors to leave their cars in the Yosemite Falls parking lot just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge and walk approximately 1 1/2 half-miles to the viewing area near the El Capitan picnic area.

Additional parking is available at Yosemite Village and Curry Village, with shuttle service to Yosemite Valley Lodge and the adjacent parking lot.

Parking is expected to be limited.