The Yosemite Firefall was a summertime event that began in 1872 and continued for almost a century, in which burning hot embers were spilled from the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park to the valley 3,000 feet (900 m) below. From a distance it appeared as a glowing waterfall. The owners of the Glacier Point Hotel conducted the firefall. History has it that David Curry, founder of Camp Curry , would stand at the base of the fall, and yell "Let the fire fall," each night as a signal to start pushing the embers. The firefalls were performed at 9 p.m. seven nights a week as the final act of a performance at Camp Curry .
44-557: The Firefall ended in January 1968, when George B. Hartzog , then the director of the National Park Service , ordered it to stop because the overwhelming number of visitors that it attracted trampled the meadows, and because it was not a natural event. The NPS wanted to preserve the valley, returning it to its natural state. The Glacier Point Hotel was destroyed by fire 18 months later and was not rebuilt. The spectacle of
88-455: A distant and haunting call across the lake, which Bruce tells her is "just an Indian". They listen and hear in the distance a mysterious feminine voice make its reply. The rest of the scene has been summarized thus: It is an old Indian legend, he tells her. Years ago two lovers from different tribes met here. Their families were enemies, sort of a Romeo and Juliet affair. They were discovered and sentenced to die, but their spirits still live. When
132-413: A favorite of President Dwight D. Eisenhower . When Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald performed the song as a duet in the 1936 film version of Rose Marie , it was a hit that remained a signature song for the two singers throughout their careers. As featured in the 1936 film version, Nelson Eddy as Sergeant Bruce and Jeanette MacDonald as Rose Marie are alone by a lakeside campfire. They hear
176-624: A fiery waterfall without the use of actual fire in Horsetail Fall (Yosemite) . Today's Firefall occurs at Horsetail Fall on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, where the setting sun illuminates the waterfall, casting a warm, fiery glow that resembles a cascade of fire. This spectacle predominantly occurs from mid to late February, with the peak intensity usually observed around February 21 each year. The golden hues begin to appear approximately 35 minutes before sunset, with
220-615: A fire on the point and push it off on special occasions. Curry prided himself on his booming voice. He would call up to Glacier Point to signal when the Firefall should begin: On May 31, 1913, Curry and Assistant Secretary of the Interior Adolph C. Miller had a confrontation over the Curry Camping Company's lease. Miller told him, "I'm going to take the Firefall away. There will be no Firefall." Curry felt that
264-416: A little money. They gathered wood for a larger fire, carrying it up the mountain on their burros . James McCauley tied a gunny sack to a long pole and dipped in "coal oil". He would light the sack and wave it as a signal that the Firefall was about to begin. Then he would kick over the campfire coals and spectators would watch from below as the coals fell. The park placed a warning sign which read: In 1897,
308-404: A lover gives the call, their spirits echo it, sending it on until it reaches the one he loves. Rose Marie is moved by the beauty of it. She stands at the edge of the lake and gives the haunting call. Sergeant Bruce takes it up and sings the classic "Indian Love Call". That same night, after Rose Marie has gone to her tent, she hums the song while beside the campfire and Sergeant Bruce quietly hums
352-492: A number of songs from Rose Marie , including a different version of "Indian Love Call" performed as a duet with Dorothy Kirsten . Plugging into the popularity of the Eddy and MacDonald version of this song and attempting to avoid confusion with the 1954 remake of Rose Marie , the 1936 version of the movie was broadcast on television under the title Indian Love Call . In 1952, yodeling cowboy singer Slim Whitman released
396-879: A remarkably productive legislative program that included 62 new parks, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 , and the Bible amendment to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act that led to establishment of the Alaska parks. He ordered the Yosemite Firefall tradition discontinued in 1968. During his nine-year tenure, he enlarged the service's role in urban recreation, historic preservation, interpretation, and environmental education. In 1969, NPS faced budget cuts. Harzog pioneered what became known as
440-457: A reservation system during the peak viewing period in February. For instance, in 2022, reservations were required for the entire month, while in 2023, they were necessary for weekends only. The park offers ample parking lots, with signs along North River Road near Yosemite Lodge guiding visitors to the designated parking areas. From the main parking lots, a walk of approximately 1.5 miles leads to
484-692: A rival company, the Desmond Park Service Company, had influenced the Park Service against him. From then on, he began the nightly entertainment program by saying "Welcome to Camp Curry, where the Stentor calls and fire used to fall." In 1916, Desmond built the Glacier Point Hotel , a large chalet-style hotel with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley , Vernal Fall , and Nevada Fall . On March 8, 1917, Secretary of
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#1732772633178528-434: A significant attraction, drawing visitors from all over, especially during the brief period in February when the Firefall can be viewed. However, the management, promotion, and preservation of this tradition have evolved to adapt to contemporary challenges and opportunities. The role of social media in popularizing the Firefall event is notable. Images and experiences shared on social platforms have significantly contributed to
572-399: A spectacular Firefall. President Kennedy was on the telephone at 9:00, so the Firefall was delayed until he finished, and the Firefall occurred around 9:30 p.m. Sometime, probably by 1920, red fir bark was found to be the best fuel to produce an even flow of coals, so fires were made of red fir bark instead of wood. Employees would gather huge piles of the bark, which they stored near
616-487: A surge in visitor numbers, causing environmental concerns like damage and increased erosion in the area. In response, the National Park Service has implemented new rules and established a reservation system to manage the crowds and mitigate environmental impact. The reservation system is aimed at alleviating parking congestion and ensuring a better visitor experience, with specific dates designated for viewing
660-406: Is known as Horsetail Fall and is located on the far right side of El Capitan. For those planning to catch a glimpse of this wonder, the park has set specific dates in February when Temporary Vehicle Reservations are required to access the park, ensuring the experience remains serene and unspoiled. In recent years, the influx of visitors keen on witnessing the Firefall has led to the implementation of
704-530: The Canadian Rocky Mountains and features the sonorous tune in the overture and in Act One while the love interests call to each other per a supposed Aboriginal Canadian legend about how men would call down into the valley to the girls they wished to marry. In most (or all) versions of Rose-Marie , including the best-known movie version, the tune is reprised several times throughout
748-596: The Sierra Club in 1912, and the Sierra Club sold it to the National Park Service in 1973. In 1899 David Curry established Camp Curry in Yosemite Valley. Soon he heard visitors reminiscing about the Firefall when McCauley ran the hotel at Glacier Point. Sometime in the early 1900s, Curry reestablished the Firefall during the summer season, when guests were at Camp Curry. He sent his employees to build
792-703: The Washington Monument syndrome political tactic and closed all national parks two days a week. As public outcry grew, Congress restored the funding. Florida banker Charles "Bebe" Rebozo , a close friend of Richard Nixon, encouraged the president to fire Hartzog in retaliation for receiving "a ticket from a park ranger in Biscayne National Park for [Rebozo] tying his boat illegally to an NPS administrative dock there." Nixon fired Hartzog in December 1972, despite attempts by Secretary of
836-414: The Firefall. This system helps to organize the influx of visitors, ensuring they have a pleasant experience while adhering to the park's conservation policies. Through these measures, the National Park Service aims to balance the preservation of this cherished tradition with the essential goal of environmental conservation, ensuring that the modern-day Firefalls continue to awe and inspire while safeguarding
880-615: The Interior Rogers Morton to talk the president out of his decision. Nixon opted to replace Hartzog with the White House head of travel arrangement Ron Walker , an "unqualified appointment" who openly admitted "that he did not know the difference between the National Park Service and the Boy Scouts ." Former National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis has credited Rebozo with indirectly bringing about
924-479: The Interior Franklin K. Lane granted the Curry Camping Company a five-year lease and said that the Firefall could be reinstated as a nightly summertime event. David Curry died on April 30, but his widow and son opened Camp Curry as usual that summer and presided at the reintroduction of the Firefall. Foster Curry shouted "Let 'er go, Gallagher" and continued as the caller for many years. The job of making
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#1732772633178968-643: The National Park Service. He moved to field assignments at Great Smoky Mountains and Rocky Mountain National Parks , and then made his name advancing the Gateway Arch project as superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park (then known as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial) from 1959 to 1962. After briefly leaving the service, Hartzog returned as associate director in 1963 with the promise of succeeding Conrad Wirth in January 1964. As Director, he served as Stewart Udall ’s right arm in achieving
1012-457: The Park Service ordered the Firefall be discontinued on the grounds such a man-made event was inconsistent with the Service mission to encourage appreciation of natural wonders. According to Hartzog, the firefall was as appropriate as "horns on a rabbit". Also, the traffic was increasingly problematic, as each night a stream of cars left the campgrounds and meadow areas where people had gone to get
1056-795: The Washburn brothers, who owned the Wawona Hotel , had the Guardian of the State Grant evict James McCauley and took over his hotel at Glacier Point. They stopped the Firefalls. The following year, McCauley bought John Lembert's homestead in Tuolumne Meadows and ran cattle there. He and his sons built a small cabin on the property at Tuolumne Meadows; today the "McCauley Cabin" houses park personnel. The McCauley family sold it to
1100-492: The Yosemite Firefall has evolved into a natural spectacle observed annually. Unlike the original man-made Firefall event, the modern-day phenomenon is a captivating interplay of nature's elements that occurs every February, replicating the appearance of a fiery waterfall without the use of actual fire in Horsetail Fall (Yosemite) . Today's Firefall occurs at Horsetail Fall on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, where
1144-607: The Yosemite Park and Curry Company under the direction of the Curry family. YPCC continued to be the concessionaire of Yosemite National Park until 1993 (Although the YPCC has been owned by various corporations in recent decades, the name remained unchanged). During World War II the Firefall was cancelled. Some people in both the National Park Service and the Yosemite Park and Curry Company hoped that it would not be continued after
1188-418: The awe-inspiring Firefall continues to be a sustainable attraction for future generations, epitomizing the harmonious coexistence of human appreciation and natural preservation. The tradition of celebrating the spectacle of Firefalls at Yosemite National Park has transcended into the modern era with a natural phenomenon replacing the original man-made event. The modern-day Firefalls at Horsetail Fall have become
1232-411: The best views. The last Firefall was on Thursday, January 25, 1968. Since it was winter, no crowd was present. The allure of the Yosemite Firefall has transcended through time, evolving into a natural spectacle observed annually. Unlike the original man-made Firefall event, the modern-day phenomenon is a captivating interplay of nature's elements that occurs every February, replicating the appearance of
1276-469: The calls later was one that loud-voiced employees competed for. By 1960, the middle exchange ("Is the fire ready?"; "The fire is ready.") was eliminated. As the fire fell, the " Indian Love Call " was sung at Camp Curry while visitors saw what seemed to be a waterfall of fire. At the campground sites where Ranger-Naturalists (as they were called then) gave nightly summer talks, " America the Beautiful "
1320-438: The growing popularity of the event, drawing more visitors each year, and fostering a digital community of nature enthusiasts and Yosemite admirers. The digital engagement not only promotes the event but also serves as a platform for educating the public about the park's natural features and the importance of environmental conservation. The increasing popularity of the Firefall, particularly through social media exposure, has led to
1364-565: The history of the service" and "an empire builder." Indian Love Call " Indian Love Call " (first published as " The Call ") is a popular song from Rose-Marie , a 1924 operetta -style Broadway musical with music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart , and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II . Originally written for Mary Ellis , the song achieved continued popularity under other artists and has been called Friml's best-remembered work. The play takes place within
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1408-435: The hotel during the summer months. In 1883, James McCauley sent for his niece, Elizabeth McCauley, to come from Ireland and help with the hotel. McCauley's son Fred had an apple orchard just outside the park. His twin brother John told Ranger-Naturalist Bob Fry in 1961 that the Firefalls began spontaneously one day. James McCauley often made a large campfire for his guests on the point of the granite cliff that jutted out over
1452-558: The hotel; each day a stack of the bark would be placed on the Valley side of the Point, to be lit that night and to burn for a couple hours to produce a bed of coals. Through the years, visitors to Glacier Point enjoyed watching the hotel employees gradually push the glowing embers off the cliff with long-handled metal pushers. In 1925 all the rival business companies in the Park united to form
1496-439: The most common viewing areas. A parking pass is available for $ 35 as well as a $ 2 reservation fee to view the Firefall. The modern-day Firefall, while enthralling, also underscores the delicate balance between public enjoyment and conservation. The National Park Service, in its bid to maintain the natural integrity of Yosemite, regulates access during this period to mitigate potential environmental impacts. This measure ensures that
1540-399: The narrative. The musical was the longest running musical of the 1920s, enjoyed international success, and became the basis of four films with the same title . As the musical's biggest hit, "Indian Love Call" outlived its origins. The New York Times described the song as being among those Rudolf Friml songs that became "household staples" in their era. The song was said to have been
1584-793: The overly-politicized era of the Parks program administration, wherein NPS directors are expected to resign with the election of each new president. Rebozo's influence on Nixon's firing of Hartzog has also been noted in Dr. Gil Lusk's 2019 book National Parks: Our Living National Treasures and A Conservative Environmentalist: The Life and Career of Frank Masland Jr. Following his dismissal, Hartzog practiced law in Washington, D.C. Hartzog died on June 27, 2008. Upon his death, National Park Service historian Robert Utley called Hartzog "the greatest director in
1628-790: The pristine beauty of Yosemite National Park. George B. Hartzog Jr. George Benjamin Hartzog Jr. (March 17, 1920 – June 27, 2008) was an American attorney and Director of the National Park Service . Admitted to the bar in South Carolina in 1942, he became an attorney for the General Land Office (now the Bureau of Land Management ) in the Department of the Interior in 1945, and six months later transferred to
1672-405: The response. In a dramatic moment later in the play, after Sergeant Bruce rides off on his horse to arrest Rose Marie's brother for murder, she sings "Indian Love Call" in an attempt to summon him back. Still later, as Rose Marie performs the last act of Puccini's Tosca , she hears the voice of Bruce singing "Indian Love Call". Finally, she "hits a perfect high note and collapses in the middle of
1716-599: The setting sun illuminates the waterfall, casting a warm, fiery glow that resembles a cascade of fire. In 1871, before Yosemite became a National Park , an Irish immigrant named James McCauley hired John Conway to build the Four Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley , where McCauley lived, to Glacier Point . When the trail was completed, McCauley built a small hotel called the Glacier Point Mountain House. McCauley and his wife Barbara operated
1760-518: The stage". Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald's recording of "Indian Love Call" (with " Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life " from Naughty Marietta on the B-side) sold over a million copies, was included in the 1974 compilation film That's Entertainment! , and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. It was the only song from the stage score that MacDonald recorded, although Eddy recorded
1804-400: The valley. All would sit around the fire and talk. At the end of the evening, McCauley would kick the glowing coals over the edge of the cliff. People in the valley were fascinated by the falling embers and mentioned it to McCauley's sons. Some visitors gave them money, saying things like "Here's two bits. Tell your father to have another firefall tonight." The sons decided this was a way to earn
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1848-581: The vibrant orange and red colors becoming prominent 10–15 minutes before sunset. This natural marvel is highly dependent on the sun's specific angle of descent coupled with the availability of water in Horsetail Fall, which is subject to recent precipitation and snowmelt. Viewers can marvel at this phenomenon from various vantage points within the park, including the Four Mile Hike, Taft Point, El Cap Meadow, and Tunnel View. The waterfall itself
1892-528: The war. The NPS considered it an unnatural event in a natural area, and the task of presenting the Firefall each night was burdensome to YPCC. Employees drove trucks farther to find the red fir bark, because they were allowed to collect it only from trees that were dead and down. Before the Firefall ended, they were going as far as the Tioga Road. After World War II, the public demanded the Firefall's return. In January 1968, director George B. Hartzog of
1936-401: Was played, and the audience sang along. The time of the Firefall was established as 9:00 p.m. The Ranger-Naturalists had to be careful to end their programs in the campgrounds and at Camp Curry right at 9:00, or the "fire would fall on the program." In 1962, President John F. Kennedy visited Yosemite National Park, and on that night an especially large fire was built on the Point to make
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