Due to the pandemic, admission to Yosemite through its Big Oak Flat, Arch Rock, South and Tioga Pass entrances is restricted. Unless they have a permit, park visitors can only enter Yosemite through its Hetch Hetchy gate.
Fresno is the closest large city to Yosemite, so its news outlets cover the park closely. Reporter Brandon Johansen of KFSN-TV, Fresno’s ABC affiliate, was intrigued to venture to Hetch Hetchy for the first time.
We were happy to join Brandon and to share Hetch Hetchy with him. Park visitors need to experience Hetch Hetchy and to learn its story before they will support restoration.
If you’ve been to Hetch Hetchy this spring, you may know that it’s markedly more crowded than usual. When the valley is restored, we will need to work thoughtfully with the Park Service to develop a plan that accommodates visitors while protecting Hetch Hetchy’s natural splendor.
For now, we’re happy to see more park visitors flock to Hetch Hetchy.
