Yosemite NP – Hetch Hetchy Visit Planning

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Introduction:

What? : 

Compare to the crowded Yosemite Valley or Tioga Pass packed with cars and people by visiting Hetch Hetchy you are getting off the well-beaten path. You will be reworded by the amazing man-made lake, tall granite cliffs and domes, waterfall, and a much peaceful atmosphere.

Located at the northwest section of the park with a separate entrance road.

Hetch Hetchy valley has the largest lake in the park, and it is also the lowest in Yosemite, at elevation of under 4,000 feet, excellent location for hiking.

 








 

Where? : 

Located on the northwest side of Yosemite, this section of the park has separate entrance road. Read detailed driving instructions below.

Google Map Link

 


 

When? : 

The best time to visit here is at spring when the waterfall are flowing with water.

Summer can be relatively hot (due to the relatively low elevation), at late fall when upper sections of the park are close to access this area of the park is still open because the snow comes late here.

At winter month after major snow storm the road down to Hetch Hetchy is closed.

Check at the park website for exact road conditions and road closer:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

 

 

Due note 1: This road has seasonal hours corresponding roughly with daylight hours; during summer 2022 the road will be open from 8 am to 5 pm.

See website for up-to-date information:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hh.htm

 

Due note 2: Dogs and other pets are prohibited on all trails and on the dam. Dogs are only allowed in the parking area, and they must be always leashed.

 

Due note 3: There is no service or visitor center in this section of the park.

 

Due note 4: Swimming and boating are prohibited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

 

 

My thoughts: 

I visit here several times, hiking along the impressive Hetch Hetchy lake and Wapama Falls. This was also my starting point to multi-days hikes into Yosemite north wilderness.

 


Few general hiking guidelines:

Stay on established trails, pack out what you pack in, Overnight backpackers need a wilderness permit, carry (and drink) plenty of water. Be sure to treat river, stream, lake, or spring water.

 

 

Gas Stations:

The nearest gas station is located on highway 120, 4.4 miles east of the junction of highway 120 with Evergreen rd.

There is another gas station inside the Yosemite Park highway 120, 7.8 miles east of the park entrance.

 

 


Nearby Hotels:

At the small place called Mather you can find few hotels (Evergreen Lodge cabins or Rush Creek Lodge) and lodges and here you can also find small General Store to buy food.

There is the new lodge on highway 120 and Evergreen: Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite

You can also find many hotels and restaurants at the small town of Groveland.

 

 

Driving directions:

 

Hetch Hetchy is part of Yosemite National Park, but the entrance is separate from the rest of the park roads.

 

Coming on highway 120 from the West:

A half an hour’s drive east from Groveland via Highway 120 you will reach a clearly mark exit to your left into Evergreen Road (just after the new “Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite” and just before getting into Yosemite NP north entrance).



You will drive down on all the way until you will reach a T junction at. Here turn right onto Hetch Hetchy Rd. and after 2.6 miles you will entering Yosemite National Park pay station. Drive slowly the next 8 miles where the road plunging into the deep canyon of the Tuolumne River, from some viewing point along the road you can see far below you the impressive O’Shaughnessy Dam concrete structure.

 

Coming on highway 120 from Yosemite National Park:

Pass and exit the Yosemite Park north entrance and after a short 1.2 mile drive you will see a clear turn to your right.

Follow the above instructions to Yosemite Hetch Hetchy section.



 

 



The Tuolumne River:

The Tuolumne River start it journey in Yosemite high mountains peaks east of Tuolumne Meadows. From the high meadows the river continues west where it is descending sharply into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, this is one of the remotes sections of the park wilderness and after 16 miles in the narrow canyon the river flow into the eastern end of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.






 

Information about O’Shaughnessy Dam:

After many public discussions and opposition to building a dam inside Yosemite national park and destroy the amazing valley act of Congress approve this water system construction in 1913. The O’Shaughnessy Dam was built few years later (1923 with extension that completed in 1938).





The 430-foot-tall and 900 feet long, O’Shaughnessy Dam block the Tuolumne River and create an eight-mile-long reservoir. The lake has a storage capacity of 360,360 acre-feet and it is the primary water source for the 2.5 million residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, 156 miles west of this location.

You can see the dam exit below in the canyon and in the lake, you can see the overflowing spillway section of the dam.


 



The visit:

 

Compare to the crowded Yosemite Valley or Tioga Pass packed with cars and people by visiting Hetch Hetchy you are getting off the well-beaten path. You will be reworded by the amazing lake, granite cliffs and domes, waterfall, and a much peaceful atmosphere.

Hetch Hetchy and Yosemite Valley are both created by large glaciers that cut the granite rocks leaving behind valleys with steep cliff sides.

 

There are few long trails leading into Yosemite wilderness that starts right after the park gate or along the drive down to the dam, but most visitors drive straight to the lake at the end of the road.

 



Parking:

Near the end of the road, you will drive into one lane section, pass the building on your right, and drive down to the dam, here you will find plenty of parking spots along the right side of the road. If there aren’t any available parking spots here, you need follow the loop back up and find parking at the junction or at the backpacking parking lot.

 



From the parking lot the best and most recommended hike, and the one most of the visitors are doing, is to walk to Wapama Fall.

Even if you do not want to hike, you can walk to the dam, enjoy the lake view on one side and look on the other side down into the deep Tuolumne River to the west.

There are few explanations boards along the dam and on the other side there is a large man-made tunnel that cut through the massive rock to the left side of the lake.

 



The steep granite walls on the south side of the lake make it inaccessible to hikes and there is only single trail along the north, Wapama Falls side of the lake.

 

Once you are done with your visit here drive the steep road all the way out and head to your next destination.

 

 



Wapama Fall Hike:

Wapama Fall is reached via a five-mile, round-trip hike that follows the shoreline of the reservoir with moderate up and downhill hiking. At the turning point the trail includes spectacular views of Wapama Falls from the wooden bridges at the base of the fall. This flat hike, although not very short, is good for families with kids.



For more information look for my Wapama Fall blog.

This hike is fully exposed to the sun, at hot summer days carry with you plenty of water and use sunscreen.

 

 



Laurel Lake Day Hike:

This is 15 miles out and back hike, the trail introduces major climbing on the way up with elevation gain of 3,484 feet, plan for at least 8-9 hours hike.

This day hike is not for everyone, but you will be reworded by the amazing view of Hetch Hetchy lake from above, wilderness forest hike, and remote lake at the end of the trail. The bonus is that on your way back it is all one long downhill 😊

 

 


Summery:

When visiting Hetch Hetchy relatively remote location you are getting off the well-beaten path and will be reworded by the amazing lake landscape, tall granite cliffs and domes, waterfall, and a much peaceful atmosphere.

Located at the northwest section of the park with a separate entrance road.

Hetch Hetchy valley has the largest man-made lake in the park, and it is also the lowest in Yosemite, at elevation of under 4,000 feet, excellent location for hiking.

 

 

www:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hh.htm

 

Map:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/hetchhetchy-sitebull.pdf

 


Additional Pictures:

 




























Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

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