Without water this valley would just be Yosemite-lite but the water (and dam) gives it something Yosemite doesn't have.

I just took a walk to Wapama Falls and climbed the rocks there to the top of the falls but in the future I'd like to take a longer hike.

On the way back there's even a nice bar to stop by at the Evergreen Lodge.

The trip to Hetch Hetchy this last summer was great. We backpacked in to Rancheria Falls about 7 miles. It's a beautiful hike but very dry in Sept. We're going back next sprig to see the awsome falls.

loved everything about it,lived here for 6 months doing trail work for the national parks crew in part with the c.c.c. Best time to visit is late spring to summer time when the snow is melting. Venture into the jack main high country for pure innerpeace.

hetch hetchy is the place to be.the hike to rancheria falls cant be beat.it is the perfect place to introduce the children to backpacking.crossing the bridges at wapama falls is intense during high water.to me this place is one of my favorite spots.
even the drive up to hetch hetchy is awesome.we seen big meadows of wildflowers that were exploding with colors.

Even though it still retains its beauty. Some of us Paiutes, the original owners of Hetch Hetchy wonder what our ancestors saw when they used to camp along the floor of the valley. The Hetch Hetchy Indians wonder what it will look like in the future.

But it is still worth seeing.

It is still a nice hike and must see.

the drive up and around the mountain is a little scary, practically nothing stopping you from falling off the side of the mountain. but..
its absolutly beautiful. the view from the dam into the valley is beautiful. and the resevoir itself is huge. the mountains that frame it light up when the sun is setting, and there are at least 3 big waterfalls ...

We didn't plan on going to Hetch Hetchy on our trip and only did because our lodge was nearby and we could fit it in during the evening. I was pleasantly delighted.
The views along the drive are spectacular. They get better and better as you get closer to the reservoir.
The drive to the reservoir and walking out on the dam are well worth this ...