Hetch Hetchy and Wapama Falls Day Hike

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Wapama Falls

O'Shaughnessy Dam

Wild Flowers

Kolana Rock

Tueeulala Falls

Tuolumne River

Hetch Hetchy is a place full of history. Prior to the dam construction in 1914, the Hetch Hetchy Valley was often compared in natural beauty to that of Yosemite Valley. Come see 19th and 20th century construction, the effects of water on an ecosystem, and this beautiful and lesser known Valley that John Muir called his favorite.

Over the course of the day, your guide will lead you on a hike from modern human construction to the natural beauty of the Earth. The tour begins at the O'Shaughnessy Dam, a dam that was an engineering marvel when it was built and has been raised since. From there you will pass through a large tunnel, accessing the trail as it wraps around the northern edge of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. This location was John Muir's favorite, even more than Yosemite Valley, but once construction began in 1919, water covered the valley floor, destroying the natural beauty in exchange for water and power for millions of residents in the bay area of California. The destination of the hike is Wapama Falls, a beautiful waterfall that spills out over a series of 3 bridges along the trail. This is an easy to moderate hiking tour that is great for families and hikers of all skill levels.

Hetch Hetchy offers an entirely new color palette to that of Yosemite Valley. In the spring you will experience rushing waterfalls and unique wildflowers. The water is deep and blue, the trees are a dull and calming green, and the rock is a dark and inspiring grey.

Offered: Year Round (Weather Permitting)

Note: This portion of the park is NOT accessed through the main gates that lead to Yosemite Valley. In order to access this beautiful day hike you will need to access the west side of Highway 120 outside of the park gates in order to complete the drive.

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Availability:

Year Round (Weather Pending)

Duration:

6-8 Hours

Mileage & Difficulty:

5 Miles

Easy-Moderate

Cost:

1-2 People: $600

3-4 People: $700

5+ People: $150-/Person

All Tours Are Private

Departs From:

Hetch Hetchy Reservior

Meeting Time:

9 am

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Yosemite Reservations: Participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry during any time period when reservations are needed to enter Yosemite.

Hetch Hetchy and Wapama Falls Day Hike

Meeting Location: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (O’Shaughnessy Dam Parking)

Over the course of the day, your guide will lead you on a hike from modern human construction to the natural beauty of the Earth. The tour begins at the O’Shaughnessy Dam, a dam that was an engineering marvel when it was built and has been raised since. From there you will pass through a large tunnel, accessing the trail as it wraps around the northern edge of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. This location was John Muir’s favorite, even more than Yosemite Valley, but once construction began in 1919, water covered the valley floor, destroying the natural beauty in exchange for water and power for millions of residents in the bay area of California. The destination of the hike is Wapama Falls, a beautiful waterfall that spills out over a series of 3 bridges along the trail. This is an easy to moderate hiking tour that is great for families and hikers of all skill levels.

Notes:

All tours are private.
Guide(s) carry first aid, water purification, toilet paper/trowel, sunscreen and bug repellent. Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, water bottles, etc.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. You will be kept in contact throughout this process.
This portion of the park is NOT accessed through the main gates that lead to Yosemite Valley. In order to access this beautiful day hike you will need to access the west side of Highway 120 outside of the park gates in order to complete the drive.

REQUIRED FORMS

In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the required forms. These forms are also attached to your confirmation email once you register online.

We will require an additional medical release for any guests on multi-day trips, any “Half Dome in a Day” hiker, or any guest who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.

TRIP ITINERARIES

All trips are subject to itinerary changes for various reasons, including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most situations, we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit equal to the total amount paid through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled before its start date due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Other good student options include InsureMyTrip and Allianz Travel Insurance for Students.

Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full payment is required upon registration for day trips.

When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES

Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.

The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.

Day Hike Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund, minus $25/person, and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
With 72 hours’ notice, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost.
Within 72 hours, no refunds or credits will be issued.

Half Dome in a Day Cancellation Policy

More than 90 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
More than 60 days before the trip date, we will retain 25% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Between 60 and 31 days before the trip date, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Less than 31 days before the start date, no refunds or credits will be issued.

48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.

Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy

Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.

Other Considerations

Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.

Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.

TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY

Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

Join Us For A Guided Tour

Availability

Year Round (Weather Pending)

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#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

I did a private one-on-one hike with a guide to Half Dome. This was such an amazing experience! The guide was very knowledgeable regarding Yosemite, and I realized I wouldn't have completed it without the help of the guide. His expertise and calmness during the cables really enabled me to push through and complete this amazing hike!”

We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), for all of us was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all have such an amazing yet challenging experience, it was really worthy! Thank you so much to our guides Nicole and Jack for your cheers, your spirit, your cooking, your yoga time, your knowledge and for doing this family trip so great! We really enjoy it!!

I booked a guided hike for Clouds Rest as I was unsuccessful in my ballot for Half Dome. My friend was unable to make it so I decided to book a guided hike for myself. From beginning to end, Lasting Adventures was great. They replied to me quickly, and my guide was excellent! He offered me hiking poles in case I hadn't taken any and had plenty other essentials on hand.