Horsetail Falls On El Capitan In Yosemite Horsetail Falls on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is a ephemeral waterfall (meaning it is seasonal). It flows only during the peak of spring runoff. Spring runoff is early February to early March. It is at its peak during the second and third week in the month of February each year. This is one of the Yosemite waterfalls that attracts many photographers at sunset. Depending on the sunset, the waterfall will take on the colors of reds, yellows or oranges. The colors of the sunset make it look like a waterfall of fire. The more water flowing, the better the effect that this waterfall looks like fire. Sometimes it is even referred to as a natural firefall. The El Capitan picnic area is good place to view and photograph this waterfall. The fall is on the east side of El Capitan. But be forewarned that the area is crowed the second and third week of February. (It brings out many photographers!) Ansel Adams called this the El Capitan Fall. A seasonal waterfall that spills off of the top of El Capitan. There has to be a good amount of snow in December and January for this waterfall to occur. If there is a dry winter, there is no waterfall. El Capitan is so large that on a good year, there is a waterfall on the west side as well as the east side. When the water falls on the east side, it creates a waterfall that is 1,540 feet all. When the water falls on the west side (Horsetail Falls), it creates a fall that is 1,570 feet high. Making this the tallest waterfall in all of Yosemite National Park. Return From Horsetail Falls To The Yosemite Waterfalls Page
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