Hiking to Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy - Yosemite National Park
Hi friends and happy Monday! This week we’re back in Yosemite National Park, partnering with Visit Yosemite | Madera County and YosemiteThisYear.com, which is a great resource for anyone planning an upcoming road trip to the park. Today we’re heading to an area of Yosemite that less than 10% of park visitors ever travel to, so it’s a great spot to avoid the crowds if you’re in the park on weekends or holidays. Join me for a Spring hike on the trail to Wapama Falls along the beautiful and controversial Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam with Tueeulala Falls in the distance
Location & Hours
Hetch Hetchy is located less than 40 miles from Yosemite Valley, and the road that leads to this magnificent valley (Evergreen Road/Hetch Hetchy Road) begins just outside of the park on Highway 120 near the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station. This is one of the only areas in the park that is not open to visitors 24 hours a day. The gated road here is only open during daylight hours and it changes with the seasons, so make sure to check the official NPS website for the most up-to-date hours and information. Prior to my visit, the only information I could find regarding the gate hours on the NPS website and automated phone recordings was “sunrise to sunset (approximately)”, which is frustratingly vague for a planner like me lol. On my last visit (May 2023), the gates were open from 7am to 9pm. I arrived at the gate at 6:55 and my car was the first here. A ranger arrived and opened the gate promptly at 7am. When I inquired, they said the gate is locked every evening, so it’s important to manage your time wisely as you visit this section of the park. Since the drive from the entrance gate to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is approximately 10 miles, they recommend leaving the O’Shaughnessy Dam main parking area at least 30 minutes prior to closing to ensure day visitors are able exit the gates before they’re locked for the night.
FAST FACTS
Distance: 5 miles RT
Elevation: 500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
O’Shaughnessy Dam in Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley
O’Shaughnessy Dam & Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
One of the main attractions in this area is the O'Shaughnessy Dam. Since the 1850s, this valley was a prime target for water companies and the city of San Francisco to dam and develop for water storage. After the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, a great urgency grew to find adequate water supply. Despite heavy opposition from environmental groups and naturalists, such as John Muir and the Sierra Club, and after intense national debates about building a reservoir and dam in a national park, President Woodrow Wilson and the US Congress passed the Raker Act in 1913, authorizing construction of a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam with Kolana Rock in the distance
2023 marked the centennial anniversary of the first phase of construction of the O'Shaughnessy Dam, which was completed in 1923. The dam was named for Michael Maurice O'Shaughnessy, who served as chief engineer for twenty years. This reservoir has a capacity of over 117 billion gallons of water, or the equivalent of 177,914 Olympic-sized pools. The dam crest is 910 feet long and over 400 feet high. The water here serves more than 2.4 million people in four counties around the San Francisco Bay area, as well as the residents of nearby Groveland.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Kolana Rock in Yosemite National Park
The Lost Hetch Hetchy Valley
Although the massive granite formations jutting out of the water here are beautiful, this landscape looked drastically different just over a century ago. Before the O’Shaughnessy Dam was constructed here, the views looked out on lush thriving meadows with the meandering Tuolumne River winding through the valley floor. It’s often said that the Hetch Hetchy Valley rivaled the majesty and beauty of the famous Yosemite Valley located just an hour away.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flowing into the Tuolumne River at the O’Shaughnessy Dam
Visiting the Dam Today
Ample parking is available directly beside the dam, and many park visitors come here just to stand on top of this impressive structure to take in the stunning views, including the jets of water shooting out from the outlet channels below. This intense water flow feeds the Tuolumne River, heading downstream and feeding hydroelectric plants. In fact, early morning views here often reveal stunning rainbows in the mist. Along with the dam itself, you get stunning views of Tueeulala Falls and Wapama Falls plummeting down the granite cliffs in front of Hetch Hetchy Dome...and of course the famous Kolana Rock soaring 2,000 feet high over the right edge of the reservoir is quite a sight to behold. In 1909 John Muir wrote about this beautiful piece of granite, calling it “the most strikingly picturesque rock in Hetchy Hetchy Valley.” Multiple information panels can be found as you cross the dam, which share detailed information about the history of this area and the construction of the dam.
Hetch Hetchy Valley and Kolana Rock in Yosemite National Park
Native History
The Hetchy Hetchy name comes from a Sierra Miwok word for a type of wild grass. For generations Central Me-Wuk, Southern Sierra Miwuk, and Mono Lake Paiute made places like this their homes pre-dating Yosemite National Park by many centuries. Archaeological evidence has been found showing that native tribes lived in the Yosemite area thousands of years ago. All native, historic, and natural resources & artifacts here are federally protected. Disturbing these resources is not only disrespectful to the native cultures who have long considered the area to be sacred, it is also a prosecutable violation of law. Please participate in honoring and respecting these important resources by not disturbing them in any way. Take only pictures and leave only footprints.
Tueeulala Falls seen from the O’Shaughnessy Dam in Hetch Hetchy
Trails & Waterfalls
Inside the 459 square mile Hetch Hetchy watershed are 287 miles of trails, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. After exploring the O’Shaughnessy Dam, I’d recommend crossing through the 500 foot long granite tunnel (built during the original dam construction) and heading out to explore a few of the waterfalls in this area.
Tunnel along the trail to Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy
Wapama Falls Trail
Wapama Falls is probably one of the most popular hikes in the Hetch Hetchy area. This out and back trail comes in at just over 5 miles and 500 feet in elevation gain. After crossing the dam and exiting the granite tunnel, you enter the Yosemite wilderness, beginning along a former service road heading to the Wapama Falls footbridges. The beauty and ecological importance of the land here was recognized by Congress in 1890 when it established Yosemite National Park, and again in 1984 when it designated almost 95 percent of Yosemite as wilderness. The views along the ridge of the reservoir here offer an abundance of flora, fauna, and breathtaking scenery. In the springtime this pristine wilderness is home hundreds of species of wildflowers, including California poppy, lupine, shooting stars, waterfall buttercups, and bright California fuchsia. Some of the most colorful and exotic plant species in North America are found along the Hetch Hetchy watershed.
Spring wildflowers along the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite
Hetch Hetchy shares a similar elevation to Yosemite Valley, but it’s almost always warmer here. Much of the hike to Wapama Falls is along south-facing slopes and reflects more heat. Since Hetch Hetchy‘s gate doesn’t open until after sunrise in Summer, you don’t have the option of an early start to beat the heat, so I prefer to hike here in the Spring or Fall months. The trail initially dips in and out of oak trees before becoming completely exposed. It’s also important to keep a watchful eye for poison oak, which can grow along the trail. In fact, there’s even a section along the trail often referred to as “poison oak alley”, so remember: leaves of three, leave it be!
Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park
Continuing on this hike, you come to a fork in the trail which is well marked. Stay to the right and you’re just a mile and a half from the Wapama Falls footbridges. As you continue, the spectacular views of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir show off in new angles, and soon you’ll be coming across some spectacular waterfalls.
Unnamed waterfall with water crossing along the Wapama Falls Trail
Unnamed Waterfalls
If you head out on this hike as the snow pack is melting (often from Spring to early Summer), you’ll come across two unnamed waterfalls. Here you cross pools of water and feel the mist spray down along the path. Because the waterfalls are fed by snowmelt, if you plan a visit in late Summer or Fall, there’s a good chance they’ll look more like a trickle (or even run completely dry). However, it’s important to note that as the water flow swells in Spring, the trails can become flooded in areas. Instead of rock hopping, you may be wading through water up to your ankles in spots.
Tueeulala Falls crosses the Wapama Falls Trail in Hetch Hetchy
Tueeulala Falls
Tueeulala Falls crashes down over 800 feet, and the trail crosses directly in front of the spraying water. Anywhere else this incredible waterfall would be a main attraction, but here it’s just a preview of what’s to come. Considered a seasonal waterfall, you’re most likely to see the water raging here during the Spring months, and you get great views as you approach it along the trail. Crossing at the base of the falls can mean getting pretty wet, as the water runs up to calf height during the snow melt season.
Wapama Falls footbridge in Hetch Hetchy
Wapama Falls
You soon start a final descent along a jagged rocky section of the trail (I might recommend hiking poles for this section). In the Spring you can hear the water from Wapama Falls roaring, and you feel the mist as it soaks the stone trail before the crashing waterfall comes into view.
Wapama Falls Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley during Spring
Wapama Falls is fed by Falls Creek, and a series of footbridges cross directly in front of the cascading falls. In the Spring, the closer you get to the base of this waterfall, the harder it is to stay dry. One thing that sets this hike apart from some of Yosemite’s other famous waterfalls is how close you get to the base of the falls along the trail. During the peak run-off season, the water can crash down onto and over the footbridges with great force.
Wapama Falls footbridges in Yosemite National Park
Watch for important warning signs the NPS has posted here. At times the water flow may be extremely dangerous as it crashes directly over the footbridges. Please remember to adventure within your own skill and safety limit, following the park safety signage here. If water is flowing over the bridges and it doesn’t look or feel safe, please don’t risk crossing. In fact, on occasion the waterfall flow is so strong that the trail is shut down at this point due to the unsafe conditions...so make sure to check the NPS website for the most up-to-date information before your trip.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir seen from the Wapama Falls footbridges
I also think it’s important to note that not only can the water flow change daily, it can shift within a matter of hours. On my most recent trip as I crossed the first footbridge in the morning, the water was flowing and cascading down along the base of the bridges. However, as the temperatures rose and I returned under the mid-day sun, the water was crashing onto and over the bridge at times. Because I had chatted with a ranger near the trail and I’m familiar with this area, I felt quite safe on my adventures...but the possibility of swift and drastic condition changes at the waterfall (particularly during the peak run-off season) is an important reminder of how powerful nature is and how, as visitors here, it’s important for us to do our research and plan properly for our adventures.
Tueeulala Falls in Hetch Hetchy
Know Before You Go
• The Travel Alerts page on YosemiteThisYear.com is a great resource to reference prior to any Yosemite trip. There you’ll find up-to-date park information, road conditions, and links to everything you might need while preparing for your trip.
• Check the official NPS website prior to visiting for the most up-to-date weather and road conditions.
• The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is only accesible via car, and there is no public transportation to the area. Vehicles and/or trailers over 25 ft long and 8 ft wide are not permitted Hetch Hetchy Road, which is can be very narrow and windy in sections.
• Wilderness, by definition, is an unpredictable and even hazardous place, so stay on the designated trails. Traveling off trail is a leading cause of hiking accidents in Yosemite.
• Pets are not allowed on hiking trails in the Hetch Hetchy area.
• Remember the Leave No Trace Principles and pack out what you pack in.
• Overnight backpackers need a wilderness permit, which can be obtained at the Hetch Hetchy Entrance until 5pm at no cost.
• This is black bear country. Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal. Make sure to properly store your food. Bear canisters are required for wilderness food storage for overnight hikers.
• Be prepared for sudden and sometimes hazardous changes in weather and trail conditions.
• Be cautious when crossing swollen streams and turn back if conditions warrant. Good planning and judgment may protect you from unsafe situations and prevent the need for rescue.
Top 10 Yosemite Attractions
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam seen from Wapama Falls Trail
In Summary & Post Sponsor
Thank you so much for joining me this week in Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of my Hetch Hetchy hike to Wapama Falls, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video found at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here.
I’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsor of this post, Visit Yosemite | Madera County. Please consider stopping off to support the small businesses and local economies of the gateway communities surrounding the park. For great information on what to do inside Yosemite National Park and in Madera County directly to the south (along Highway 41), check out YosemiteThisYear.com and @yosemitemadera on Instagram. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam seen from parking area
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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