Trip Highlights:
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. You will need to use Highway 120 outside of the park gates in order to complete the drive.
All Tours Are Private
You will receive a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of the original booking date.
Book with confidence, knowing you can cancel for any reason 30 days before your trip date and receive a full, lifetime, transferable credit.
Not sure if your current trip dates work? Rest assured, you can change your trip date as many times as needed, provided you do so 30 days before both the current and the new trip dates, subject to our guide’s availability.
Meeting Location: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (O’Shaughnessy Dam Parking) at 3,809′
High Point: Miguel Meadow Junction at 4,030′
Mileage and Elevation Gain/Loss: 5 miles, +/- 1,045′
For a detailed map with elevation profile of the tentative itinerary, click here: Map.
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.
Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.
Yes, we book all of our Day Hikes as private and do not have an option to join a group. The only exception is our Half Dome in a Day hike in Yosemite, which allows up to 5 guests and 1 guide per trip.
Unfortunately, no, we do not schedule half-day tours. However, as every Day Hike is private, you can modify and customize your day with the guide as needed upon meeting and/or throughout the tour. For example, if you need (or prefer) to end at a specific time, just let the guide know when you meet, and they can make that happen.
Yes, and lucky you, as you will have a private guide for that day.
Yes, see here for our Day Hike Equipment List.
Our Guides will supply trekking poles, the gloves for Half Dome cables, and will also carry first-aid supplies and water purification devices for water along the way. They also carry bathroom supplies (toilet paper, trowel, hand sanitizer), bug repellent, suntan lotion, and they are always armed with fun, natural facts and stories from the park.
No, and we suggest you bring your own trail lunch, snacks, and full water bottles.
Yes, parking is always available at our meeting point, and your vehicle can remain there throughout the day.
Although past clients have said they were glad they rented a vehicle, there are limited public transportation options for most of the trips we offer in Yosemite. See here for additional information: Yosemite Transportation Options.
See our Day Hike Cancellation Policy on our Terms and Conditions Page, which is summarized below:
Availability
