Due to the reservations system affecting other entrances to Yosemite National Park, as well as extended access hours and increased publicity, Hetch Hetchy was more popular this past spring than ever.
Hetch Hetchy was full on 13 different days this spring, forcing the National Park Service to deny access to motor vehicles until another car left and freed up a parking place.
It’s disappointing whenever visitors are unable to visit their national park – whether it be Hetch Hetchy, other parts of Yosemite or any other parks. We are pleased, however, to see people flock to Hetch Hetchy. As more people visit Hetch Hetchy and learn its story, it will be far easier to build the support necessary to relocate the reservoir and return the valley to its natural splendor and all people.
The parking lots at Hetch Hetchy were filled to capacity on weekends from mid-May to mid-June (days shown in red). Visitors who arrived after 11 AM either had to turn around or wait for someone to leave. Wapama Falls’ peak flows of 800 cubic feet per second occurred during the third week of May, making its bridges treacherous to cross. By the 2025 snowmelt, the Park Service hopes to install a newer bridge at the western end of the falls to improve safety.
The chief draw at Hetch Hetchy is Wapama Falls, which dries up by the end of June in an average water year like 2024. Unlike Yosemite Valley, there are no shady groves and no meandering river to provide sublime solace throughout the summer. Indeed, Hetch Hetchy is downright hot in summer months, especially where the trail below the granite monoliths on the north side of the reservoir catches full sun.
When Wapama is raging, the westernmost bridge, located at the red “B” in the photo, is unsafe to cross.
This photo was taken June 11. Crossing the bridges was exhilarating and wet, but safe. Very nice to cool off as temperatures reached close to 100 degrees.
Until the valley is restored or boating on the cool reservoir is permitted, we will continue to appreciate Hetch Hetchy best during the spring snowmelt or fall when cooler weather and the soft autumn light returns.
If (when?) weekends in the spring continue to see Hetch Hetchy’s limited parking fill to capacity, perhaps we can encourage the Park Service to arrange for a public shuttle system – after all, the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System serves the park’s other four entrances.