This photograph from 2009 shows what an average February flow in Horsetail Fall looks like
After a wet spell in December, the rain spigot got turned off. Yosemite Valley received seven one-hundredths of an inch of rain for the entire month of January. San Francisco set a record for January that can never be broken, with no measurable precipitation.
Not surprisingly, there isn’t much water in Horsetail Fall. In fact there’s no detectable flow at all – just a little dampness near the top. But forecasters are predicting a significant storm this weekend. They’re actually expecting two pulses, one tonight, and another on Sunday night. Total rainfall for the weekend could exceed four inches if the forecasts are right.
Horsetail should get a short-term boost from this storm. Whether that boost lasts longer depends on the exact snow level. Horsetail is fed by melting snow from a small drainage on top of El Capitan lying between 6,200 and 7,600 feet. The predictions for this storm put the snow level at 8,000 feet. If the actual snow levels are a little lower, and Horsetail’s tiny watershed gets some significant snow, then the runoff from that snow melting could last for a couple of weeks and provide at least some flow during the prime photography period later this month. If the snow levels are higher, and Horsetail’s drainage gets only rain, the water will run off quickly and won’t provide a lasting increase in the flow.
But at least this storm brings some hope that Horsetail Fall could be flowing this month. It’s unlikely that Horsetail will reach even an average flow this year, like you see in the photograph above. But even a little water can be enough to see the orange, backlit glow that Horsetail is famous for, as in the photograph below from 2012. Right now there’s not even that much water in Horsetail, but this approaching storm could help if snow falls at a low enough elevation. Of course you need the right light too, which occurs from around February 16th through 23rd if skies are clear to the west at sunset.
Taking a wider view, we really need this storm, even if if the snow levels are too high to give a long-term boost to Horsetail Fall. During our three-and-a-half-year drought we’ve been teased many times by predicted storms that turned out to be weaker than expected, or have fizzled out altogether. I really hope this storm is a wet one!
If you want to follow this storm, you can track rainfall totals for Yosemite Valley here (the “raintip” season total prior to this storm was 8.19 inches). There’s also a webcam at the Badger Pass ski area, at 7,200 feet, so if it’s snowing there that means it’s snowing in the Horsetail watershed. And if Badger Pass updates snow conditions they’ll post snowfall amounts for that elevation.
— Michael Frye
This photograph from 2012 shows low water in Horsetail, but with the right light that can be enough
Related Post: The Best Time to Photograph Horsetail Fall, Revised
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom 5: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Thanks for today’s update regarding the approaching storm, Michael. We always value of your comments and insights. We’ll be caravanning with a group of 30 photogs from Orange and Riverside Counties to the annual event in February and our fingers are crossed for more water and “perfect” conditions…
You’re welcome Jim, and thanks. I think perfect conditions are a long shot this year, but at least this storm gives you a fighting chance of getting good conditions.
Mike
Thanks for all the great information (BYW, i bought your mobile app and it is great!). I am travelling this Thursday form NY (Feb 12th) to Yosemite for 6 days. My major objective was to see and photograph horsetail falls. I am hoping even for a little flow. Take care
Gregory
You’re welcome Gregory. See my latest post for more information about the water flow in Horsetail.
Mike,
Any update on the condition of Horsetail following the storm? Many thanks in advance.
David
See my post today David.
Hi Mike,
how is the weather condition this week, Feb. 16-23 ? Is there water in Horsetail fall?
Thanks
Francis
Francis, I haven’t been back up to check on the flow. Judging by photos I’ve seen, there’s a little water, but not much.
Hi Michael.
We will be in the valley 22nd thru 24th; hoping for Firefall effect like everybody else! What’s your latest update? We were there this same time last year, rain the first day/night and clouded over the next evening. Of course it didn’t diminish the visit at all and later in the day we got to see so many falls everywhere from the rain! My family first visited Yosemite in the 40s; I consider it my heart’s home! We live in Manteca now, so I get to visit more often. 🙂 My first time in Yosemite was 1952; documented in a classic photo of 5month old me getting a bath in a washtub in Camp 11 site L 25 our favorite campsite! I’ve been there annually ever since! Thank you for your amazing photography! What a blessed gift! I’d love to shake your hand! Thanks ! patti
Patti, as I told Francis above, I haven’t been up to Yosemite Valley in the last week, but judging by the photos I’ve seen online, I don’t think there’s very much water in Horsetail. There might be a trickle, and perhaps that’s enough for decent photographs, but I’m rather doubtful. If I get a chance to go up there I’ll post an update, but right now I’d estimate the chances for good Horsetail Fall photos somewhere between slim and none – literally. There is a slight chance of showers in the forecast for Sunday, and if that weather disturbance proves to be more substantial than predicted, that could give Horsetail a boost. But that’s an if. Wish I had better news for you.
Hi Michael,
Thanks so much for the info! I have a few questions for you:
I’ll be traveling down to Yosemite on March 1. I’m not a photographer, but is there any chance of seeing something at Horsetail Falls (assume the water levels are fine). It would be amazing to have an extra something to remember this trip by. I don’t need any guarantees, but a 50% chance of seeing a small amount of light is enough reason to try.
I also will have no car. Is there anywhere that I can go to see Horsetail Falls that is accessible on foot?
Thanks in advance,
Matthew
You’re welcome Matthew. Assuming the water levels are fine is a big assumption. There’s basically no water in Horsetail now. If the storm we’re expected to get today and tomorrow turns out to be bigger than expected, then that may help. But at best I’d expect the water levels to be low. By March 1st the light won’t be ideal. You can still see the general effect – the waterfall backlit, with the cliff behind it in the shade. But the color won’t be as intense, at best gold rather than orange or red. The best way to get to a viewing point on foot is to take the free shuttle bus to Yosemite Lodge, then walk west along Northside Drive. The El Capitan picnic area is about 1.5 miles from the lodge, but better viewpoints are in small clearings a couple of hundred yards east of the picnic area, and therefore a bit closer to the lodge.
Thanks for your tip about the color Michael. I’m thinking about making a trip up this weekend and I was wondering if it was going to be too late to get the full effect.
Just a follow up to Matthew’s post above, it looks like snow is expected this Saturday, which might be enough to get the falls going if the sun comes out late Saturday night or Sunday. I’m thinking Sunday might be the better day if the sun hits the creek area above the falls. It might be too cold as I saw a snow level forecasted just now of 3500 feet, but either way, this is GREAT news for the Sierras as we haven’t had much snow at all this year. I’m bummed that most of the reds and oranges will probably be gone, but I think I’ll be up there this weekend either way. Who knows if or when it might snow again this year? Another tip for Matthew if he is shooting on the North side this weekend…get there REALLY early as I think every photographer in the Western hemisphere will be camped out there by mid afternoon. 🙂
-Bill
You’re welcome Bill, and good luck this weekend. I’m not optimistic about Horsetail this weekend, but you might see some snow or a clearing storm.