So what is Hetch Hetchy and where is it located? It’s actually a part of Yosemite National Park. Hetch Hetchy is located in the North-Western Part of the Park and only can be accessed via Hwy 120, turning onto Evergreen RD.
We found it due to the fact that our campground is just outside of the Hetch Hetchy Entrance. Josiah D. Whitney preferred it as a “Counterpart of Yosemite”. It provides many hiking trails for one day hike or cross country backpacking for several days into the Yosemite Wilderness.
Hetch Hetchy is a water shed resource that provides Power to those in San Francisco. Due to the pristine water-they allow no swimming or boating on this beautiful lake.
RV’s over 25 feet or vehicles wider than 8 feet wide are not permitted inside this area-and we soon learned why. The road IS very narrow with rock boulders sticking out in many places.
We met a lady that was traveling in a View Winnebago Motorhome that camped near us, and she wanted to go into Hetch Hetchy and she was only 2 inches over the 8 feet width and they literally would not allow her inside the park. So it is strictly governed on size!
Once we arrived at our destination and picked out our hike for the day, it was difficult to first to find a parking spot. Once we got situated, then they decided to open the rest of the road for more parking. It’s a busy little area-but it still doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as Yosemite Valley receives.
Our destination today was hiking 5 miles to Wapama Falls. We walked across the dam, and soon learned that we had to walk through a tunnel.
The tunnel wasn’t very long, but it took a minute or two for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. There was standing water, and we had to side step around the ponding waters. There was small lights inside the tunnel that helped somewhat.
As we traveled along, the path appeared to be smooth and easy traveling, But that soon end….a short way the path became very rocky in many areas of the trail. In some areas you had to watch for slippery rocks.
We came to a split in the trail, and they had these unique signs made out of iron, telling you which trail led to where and how far.
We continued on our path towards Wapama Falls. We still had another 1.6 strenuous miles to go. It really wasn’t that strenuous, the only thing is that you had to keep watching your feet with the rocks and wetness in some of the areas.
When we finally reached our destination-it was amazing and very well worth the hike! We came to Wapama Falls, and as we descended slightly downward, we really had to watch our footing the very slippery rocks. The water fall was at it’s fullest, causing such a spray that we were constantly getting misted on. But that was nothing-compared for what we were in for….
As we made the descend and around the corner, to our surprise, there was a bridge crossing over the waterfall itself. Needless to say, any that chose to cross this bridge, was bound to get wet!
You literally could not stand on the bridge and get a get a straight camera shot of the water fall-unless of course you had a waterproof camera….
There were several more bridges to cross, but not nearly as intense as the first one.
Once you crossed over, you could opt to continue on another waterfall called Rancheria Falls; which was probably another 4 miles past this point; making it a 13 miles round trip hike. We as well as many other, opted to rest, each lunch and hike back. 5 miles was enough for one day.
We did enjoy the hike greatly and was so well worth spending the day out here. We had interruptions of beautiful butterflies fluttering all around us.
Saw many beautiful blooming flowers
got some spectacular pictures of the area
Yep, all in all, it was a wonderful day-except for…the mosquitoes that bit every now and then, and the unexpected fall that I took on a slippery rock heading back on the hike.
I didn’t get hurt, and was grateful for another couples help. As I mentioned, the rocks were slippery. instead of staying on the main trail, I wanted to walk on the rock slope, not realizing that areas still had water running down. As I was just going to tell Brian to watch his footing-I went down-making a good splash!
I rattled my teeth a bit, and Brian wanted me to get up-but I just couldn’t make my body work that fast, so sitting, getting wet and chilling out a bit, I had to figure out how I was going to get up without going down again, and taking Brian down as well.
This couple came over to assist their help. The gentleman, gave me his walking stick (we forgot ours in the back of the truck), reached behind under my arms, and helped me to stand once again. Nothing was broke (Thank goodness), and with assistant-we got across safely.
The couple wanted to make sure that I was still able to walk-for we still had better than a mile to hike yet. All seemed to be okay, and we all went on our merry way. Of course I slowed down on the pace a bit. Once again, just a ways up the trail, the couple lagged back-just to make sure that we were coming.
Knowing that I would be able to finish the hike out, they continued on. As we get back to the truck, I couldn’t believe that a jeep had literally blocked us in! Come to find out-it was that same couple-making sure that I did make it all the way back. They knew our truck, because they came in the park the same time we did, and they didn’t want to leave until he knew that I was back safely to our truck! I didn’t think strangers ever cared anymore-I guess I was wrong.
To whoever you were on that trail, I can never say Thank You enough for caring for another stranger!
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