Visitors flocked to Hetch Hetchy last weekend as they did to all of Yosemite National Park. Long waits at entrance stations and full parking lots frustrated visitors. Many have called for a return of a reservation system to manage crowds during periods of peak demand.
Parking at Hetch Hetchy was full by 12:30. Fortunately, our entourage met at 10:30 and had a brief discussion at the dam before heading out to Wapama Falls.
We saw more folks on the trail to Wapama than ever. It was warm enough that the icy spray from the falls was most welcome. Some of our group sought more adventure, and went down to Poopenaut Valley or up to the top of the canyon above Tueeulala and Wapama Falls. Photo Alice Chung
Wapama Falls from above. Access requires off trail hiking, making the journey challenging but ever so rewarding. Photo Lucho Rivera
Many, including this author of “A nearby restoration could solve Yosemite’s overcrowding problem” (a letter to the Los Angeles Times), see the restoration of Hetch Hetchy as an opportunity to alleviate the crowding in Yosemite.
At Restore Hetch Hetchy, we don’t anticipate restoration will substantially reduce crowding in Yosemite Valley. It will help some.
Returning Hetch Hetchy to its natural splendor will, however, provide a glorious alternative that will welcome visitors to a valley with less infrastructure and congestion. Reasonable people will debate passionately how best to manage visitor use in a restored valley. We can’t wait for that discussion, but first we have a reservoir to relocate.