Where is the rockfall in Yosemite?

The initial rock fell from the eastern face of El Capitan, not far from Horsetail Fall — the site of Yosemite's famous firefall. The phenomenon occurs when the setting sun hits the El Capitan waterfall in such a way that it looks like lava flowing down the rock face.



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Several of these falls have killed people in the valley. The park receives between three and four million visitors per year. Some of the rockfalls and rockslides have occurred in parts of the park that are heavily used by visitors.

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The landscape of Yosemite National Park is a product of its unique geology, resulting from glacial erosion of the underlying granite. Iconic landforms such as Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Cathedral Peak are known throughout the world.

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Due to its steep, glacier-carved cliffs, Yosemite Valley experiences many rockfalls each year. Historical records indicate that more than 1,000 rockfalls have occurred in the park during the past 150 years.

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The Park is a world-class destination as Yosemite boasts huge granite slabs up to 3000' (33-34 pitches including traverses). Given the exceptional natural beauty of the surrounding meadows, lakes, and forest, it's hard to imagine a better place to learn the fundamentals of rock climbing!

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