Yosemite's Once-in-a-Lifetime
Firefall Adventure!
Cabin Long Weekend!
*This is a co-op event*
Let's experience the gorgeous natural phenomenon known as Firefall; when Horsetail Falls are illuminated by the winter sunset, and glow an intense bright neon orange! Yes... the pictures you've seen are real, it really is that bright! With an expert UD guide showing you the ropes, this will be the best Firefall experience ever! After years spent exploring Yosemite, we know the ultimate spot for viewing and will have the best seats in the house!
What is Firefall? 
"The natural Firefall is one of Yosemite's most amazing spectacles. Around the second week of February, the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at just the right angle to illuminate the upper reaches of the waterfall. And when conditions are perfect, Horsetail Fall glows orange and red at sunset. Although Horsetail Fall is visible from multiple viewpoints in Yosemite Valley, several factors must converge to trigger the Firefall." https://yosemitefirefall.com/yosemite-firefall-horsetail-fall/
What to Expect:
Firefall is a must see natural wonder that happens once a year, and only happens for two weeks in February. When the conditions are right, the setting sun illuminates the famous Horsetail Fall's to a bright, neon orange glow! To view this gorgeous spectacle, it is important to know exactly where to view the falls for the best visibility, luckily our UD host is a Yosemite lover, and knows just where to go! We will have 4 days to explore the park, focusing our afternoons on viewing Firefall at sunset. We will have plenty of opportunities for sweet day-hikes around the valley, snowshoeing, and checking out all the best vistas!
To top it all off, we booked a gorgeous vacation rental located inside the park, complete with a fully stocked kitchen for big group dinners, a game room with a pool table, and a fireplace with lots of space for mingling. This winter adventure is going to be incredible!
Itinerary
Friday
Get Friday off from work if possible, and arrive in the afternoon to maximize our chances of viewing Firefall under ideal sunset conditions! This itinerary will allow us the best  chance at seeing Firefall, increasing our odds of catching the waterfall lighting up fire-red!
Arrive in Yosemite Valley, meet up with UD host at Yosemite Village Store, and head to the best viewing spot for Firefall as a group. As sunset approaches.. BAM! The falls light up with mother natures bright, neon orange glow. We will have no choice but to let the shock and awe set in! After the sun has disappeared, we will head back to our cars, and make our way to our comfy rental house located in Yosemite Park. Your host will prepare a delicious group meal, while the group visits around the fire, or plays a round of pool! (If you are unable to get Friday off, feel free to arrive after work on Friday, or early Saturday AM, contact host for info).
Saturday
Rise and shine to fresh coffee and a hearty home-cooked breakfast prepared by your lovely UD host. Today is our full day in Yosemite, starting off with a moderate hike around Yosemite Valley while we .jpg) anticipate the arrival of Firefall at sunset. We will be visiting gorgeous viewpoints today, like Yosemite Falls, Mirrior lake, and Tunnel View for that epic vista we all love! We will enjoy Lunch at a delicious eatery in Yosemite village.
In the mid-afternoon, about 1.5 hours before sunset, we will head to our favorite spot for photographing Firefall, and set up our viewing basecamp. We will bring blankets and chairs, and hot cocoa for extra comfort! Your host will go over the best way to capture Firefall on our cameras and smartphones.
After we have had a jaw-dropping night of magic, we will drive back to the house for another delicious home cooked meal, and mingling around the fireplace! Unwind and relax while your UD host makes a beast of a dinner! After dinner we can share stories, play pool and enjoy the night together!
Sunday
Good morning, wake up and smell the fresh coffee. We will enjoy another hearty home-cooked breakfast prepared, and get ready for a gorgeous day hike in Yosemite. We will pack sack lunches to bring and enjoy on our hike. Yosemite Valley is a winter wonderland and we are going to explore all the best spots!
We will head to the Valley, making sure to be in que to view Firefall in the mid-afternoon, as once is never enough! After firefall, we will head to a yummy restaurant in Yosemite Valley for dinner! Then its back to the cabin and cheers to another awesome day spent in Yosemite.
Monday
We will share one more group breakfast, pack our bags, and check out of our Airbnb by 10am. You can either join your host for a gorgeous snowshoe trek, or head home early in the day if needed. You are welcome to start the trip back to the Bay Area at your own convenience.
It's off to snowshoe to Dewey Point for the early afternoon. Dewey point offers magnificent views from above Yosemite Valley, and promises the perfect outing for all levels of adventurers. If you have never been snowshoeing before, it is very beginner friendly - it's like hiking in the snow.
We will get an early start on our snowshoe trek in order to be done in time for those that would like to head to view Firefall for one last viewing. If you wish to stay for another viewing Firefall at sunset, just keep in mind that Firefall happens at around sunset (5:15pm), and the drive back to SF is approximately 4 hours. Wrapping up our trip, we will say our good-byes and feel all warm and fuzzy about how beautiful our weekend was! Until next time :)
*If you are interested in Snowshoeing, it is a great winter sport for those that love to hike, and is very easy to learn! It is best to bring/rent snowshoes from a shop in the Bay Area, as it is much easier to do this before you arrive. UD also has one extra pair of snowshoes available to borrow. Ask host for details if interested.
Accommodations
We have reserved a beautiful vacation rental cabin located within Yosemite NP, complete with a large kitchen perfect for big group meals, a pool table, fireplace and space for a large group of people. We will be sharing rooms with other members (unless you request a private room at an extra cost. Please OK this with the host ASAP). While we have an active itinerary for the weekend, there will still be plenty of time to relax, hang out with other UD members, mingle around the fireplace and play pool!
Whats Included
- 3 nights at a Airbnb Cabin located in Yosemite NP.
- Special entrance permit for Yosemite during Firefall.
- This is usually very hard to get.
- Meals: 2 dinners Friday & Saturday, 3 breakfasts, lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Some drinks, snacks and water
- Awesome UD group to explore the park with!
- A Yosemite loving host! Expect a Yosemite insider's guide of Firefall and the park in general
Not Included
- Please note, National Park entrance fee is not included. Its $35/Vehicle. Also covered by the National Parks Pass. We recommend carpool when possible.
- Lunch for Friday and Monday are not included.
- Dinner out on Sunday is not included
- Carpool recommended so you can save gas / park entrance fee!
- BYOB if that's your vibe :)
What to Bring
- Layers and warm winter clothing, with synthetic outdoor wear for both dry and wet/snowy weather. ** NO COTTON**
- Comfortable home clothes & shoes for at the house.
- Sturdy, comfortable hiking boots. **If you are coming with new boots, please be sure to have broken them in on previous excursions prior to coming to Yosemite.**
- Camera and tripod are a great idea. A small three legged tripod is also a great idea if using your iPhone to capture photos of Firefall.
- Water bottle and day back to carry all your goodies!
Weekend Highlights
- THE AMAZING DRIVE IN AND AROUND Yosemite! Just before we reach the Wawona tunnel, stop in the parking lot for classic picture-taking and a panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley. We will continue and see all its icons: El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome in one vista. If you have time at the end of the day, this is also a good place to return to at sunset.
- EXPERIENCE FIREFALL, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!!! Join our experienced UD host for this extra special Firefall weekend, with the best seat in the house! This trip is going to be EPIC!
- MINI WINTER HIKES AND WINTER ACTIVITIES! We will be taking a couple 1-3 mile hikes, of course this depends on the weather. If Glacier Point Road is open with its panoramic vista point that overlooks the entire Yosemite Valley and majestic Mirror lake. If you are interested in Snowshoeing, we will have an activity for you! (Bring/rent snowshoes from shops in the Bay Area is cheap and easy, do this before you arrive. Ask host for details if interested!). We can also hit the ice rink for ice skating, rent out bikes in the village, and explore the winter wonderland!
- MEET SOME NEW FRIENDS FOR THE NEW YEAR: It is all about the club members and having a great time doing something EPIC with a great group of people!! Come join us for this incredible weekend!!
Come see why John Muir said;
"No temple made by hands can compare with Yosemite."
**BE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY. THIS EVENT WILL FILL UP** |
