Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park: Hike to Wapama Falls

Hetch Hetchy is another valley in Yosemite National Park that was dammed in the early 1900’s to provide water for the San Francisco area. Regardless of how you feel about the creation of Hetch Hetchy, it is hard to debate how beautiful it is currently with the reservoir and how even more beautiful I am sure it would be in its natural state without the water. I got a chance to spend some time hiking there after the last rain/snow storm we had (in 2017). I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful spots I have been in a long time; it even reminded me of the time I spent in the Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska, with waterfalls coming down everywhere you looked. Of course, I cannot guarantee it will look like this when you see it, but I am sure it will still be magical. Here is all of the information on the most popular hike in the area to Wapama Falls.

Details

5.5 miles round trip
500 feet of elevation
Closes at 5PM (double check this before you go) and you cannot enter or exit after that.
Information from my visit in 2017

Getting There

Hetch Hetchy is located off Highway 120, and it takes about 30 minutes to drive from the highway to where you will be parking. This drive is full of beautiful views though, as you head down the two-lane road into the canyon itself. There is a good-sized parking lot at the base, but this area is not often busy, so you can usually find parking. When we went in the winter, we didn’t see another person the entire time we were on the trail.

After parking, you will head across the O’Shaughnessy Dam, which holds the water in place for Hetch Hetchy. This is a great spot to explore as well, both sides lead to beautiful vistas of the area itself.

After crossing the O’Shaughnessy Dam, you will come to a tunnel which you will walk through to the start of the Wapama Falls trail.

The trail hugs the water for the entire duration, but you are never that close to the water as it is at least 50 feet below you at all times.

We went after a rainstorm, so most of the pictures will look different than when you go, including this decent sized unnamed waterfall that fell right onto the trail when we went.

The trail was even rushing with water in some places, which provided wet feet, but made it a really unique hike.

Be sure to watch out for newts as you walk. We saw at least a dozen during our time in the area.

The trail continues along a well-worn path with more small waterfalls on your left-hand side, including the big waterfall known as Tueeulala Falls.

You also continue to get a better and better view of Kolana Rock, which is the large rock formation on the other side of the water from the trail.

At about the 2-mile mark you will begin heading down a series of rock steps before making your way the bridge that crosses Wapama Falls.

Wapama Falls

Wapama Falls is a majestic waterfall that packs a lot of power. It will get you wet as you proceed across the bridge, but you will want to take it in from all angles.

The bridges are great for photography as the elements have weathered them.

From here, there is another waterfall that is about three additional miles away called Ranchera Falls, but I did not go to that one so I can’t comment on it. It was pouring rain on us, so we just headed back on the same trail to where we parked.

Hetch Hetchy is one of those spots that you need to go to when you are in Yosemite. It is incredibly beautiful, and it helps you understand more about the national park. Be sure to check it out, especially during the spring or fall, when you may even have the spot all to yourself. Here is a video I made while there as well.