Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In Wawona itself, about 6 miles north of the grove, take in the manicured grounds of the
elegant Wawona Hotel and cross a covered bridge to this rustic center, where some of the
park's oldest buildings were relocated. It also features stagecoaches that brought early
tourists to Yosemite, and offers short
rides
.
Hetch Hetchy
In the park's northwestern corner, Hetch Hetchy, which is Miwok for 'place of tall grass,'
gets the least amount of traffic yet sports waterfalls and granite cliffs that rival its famous
counterparts in Yosemite Valley. The main difference is that Hetch Hetchy Valley is now
filled with water, following a long political and environmental battle in the early 20th cen-
tury. It's a lovely, quiet spot and well worth the 40-mile drive from Yosemite Valley, espe-
cially if you're tired of the avalanche of humanity rolling through that area. The 2013 Rim
Fire charred a huge section of the forest in this region, but its beauty has not been signific-
antly diminished.
The 8-mile long
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
, its placid surface reflecting clouds and cliffs,
stretches behind O'Shaughnessy Dam, site of a parking lot and trailheads. An easy
1000ft over fractured granite walls on the north shore of the reservoir.
Hetch Hetchy
Dome
rises up in the distance. This hike is best in spring, when temperatures are moderate
and wildflowers poke out everywhere. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and the occasional
bear, especially in summer.
There are bathrooms, but no other visitor services at Hetch Hetchy. The road is only
open during daylight hours; specifics are posted at the Evergreen Rd turnoff.
Activities
