Yosemite-500

Photo of the Day: Yosemite’s Horsetail Falls

ByMary Anne Potts
March 03, 2009

Photograph by Jeff Sullivan, submitted via NG Adventure's fan page on Facebook. 

Horsetail Falls in Yosemite Valley is backlit by the setting sun for only two weeks out of the year. As the sun falls behind the vertical face of El Capitan, it selectively lights this waterfall with its orange sunset glow. This was an amazing spectacle to witness. Lasting only for 30 to 15 minutes before the sun goes down, the lighting gradually grows in intensity and color for the last five minutes or so. On the nights I watched, it was like seeing a narrow strip of lava flowing down the face of El Capitan.—Jeff Sullivan

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