There are some sights that are just too beautiful for words. Like the view from Glacier Point overlooking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

Photo: Kevin Perez (submitted to the www.sharetheexperience.org photo contest)

Two years ago this week, Yosemite Valley looked a bit different! The snowy photo is from 2011 (which was an extremely snowy winter); the other photo is from yesterday afternoon.

Photo: National Park Service

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the largest of three sequoia groves within Yosemite National Park, contains approximately 500 mature giant sequoias. The significance of this grove was recognized by Abraham Lincoln when he signed the Yosemite Grant on June 30, 1864, a landmark bill that set aside and protected Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove. The giant sequoias are among the largest and oldest living things on earth.

Photo: National Park Service

Horsetail Fall flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. It’s a small waterfall that many people don’t notice, but it has gained popularity as more and more people have noticed it can glow orange during sunset in mid to late February.

The most popular place to see Horsetail Fall seemingly afire is El Capitan picnic area, west of Yosemite Lodge and east of El Capitan (see map below). The “firefall” effect generally happens during the second half of February. A clear sky is necessary for the waterfall to glow orange.

Photo: Bethany Gediman, NPS

Yosemite Falls is flowing again! Thanks to recent rain and snow, it should continue flowing at least until mid to late summer next year.

 To learn more about Yosemite Falls, click here.

Photo: National Park Service 

Horsetail Fall flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. It’s a small waterfall that many people don’t notice, but it has gained popularity as more and more people have noticed it can glow orange during sunset in mid to late February.

The most popular place to see Horsetail Fall seemingly afire is El Capitan picnic area, west of Yosemite Lodge and east of El Capitan. The “firefall” effect generally happens during the second half of February. A clear sky is necessary for the waterfall to glow orange.

Interested in visiting Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park? Click here to learn more. 

Photo: Bethany Gediman - National Park Service