Did you know that there are places called twins that look just like Yosemite Valley?
Now in the northwest of Yosemite National Park, there is an area called "Hetch Hetchi" and once had a beautiful valley that could surpass that of the Yosemite Valley.
A long time ago, San Francisco's population surged, and concerns about water shortages led to a dam being built at this location.
Before it became a dam, there were actually two beautiful valleys around Yosemite, one for tourism, protection and economic development, and the other for use as a dam. In 1925, the O'Shaughnessy Dam was built, and the Hecchi Hecchi Valley was half-sinked at the bottom of the lake.
Of course, at the time, there was a major debate between nature conservation groups and development or protection, but the 28th President Wilson signed the construction of the dam, and the dam was to be built. This is said to have led to the establishment of the US National Park Service.
There were apparently a lot of opposition to dam development because of nature conservation, but the development of cities around San Francisco, where Silicon Valley is currently the center of the US economy, is due to the power generated by the water and hydroelectric power generation of Hech Hech.
This water is also said to be the most beautiful water in the United States.
The current Yosemite Valley and the area around Hecchi Hecchi truly have twin-like landscapes. Had the Hecchi Gorge still existed, it would have become a hugely popular spot, surpassing the current Yosemite Gorge. Hech Hechy has become a dam and is now less well-known than the Yosemite Valley, so only a few people visit. That's why it's a hidden spot with few people, and it's a truly beautiful, hidden spot.
Both the Yosemite Valley and the Hecchi Hecchi Valley are beautiful valleys called V-shaped valleys, which have been shattered by glaciers. Hetch Hetchi was glaciered further than Yosemite Valley, and the surrounding rocks were further shattered, creating a more rounded landscape.
The waterfalls are especially impressive during the snow melting period from April to June, and are a place you should definitely visit during that time of year.
This time we will introduce some of the most representative trails in Hech Hech.
table of contents
Rancheria Falls Trail Information
Access (car to the trailhead)
Hetch Hetchy Trailhead California 95321 (We recommend downloading the map in advance as the signal conditions are poor)
It is about an hour's drive from Yosemite Valley. Hetch Hetchie's parking lot is 38 miles (1 hour and 15 minutes' walk) from Yosemite Valley.
Hetch Hetch Road begins just outside the park on Highway 120, near the Big Oak Flat Entrance. The park entrance is also a dedicated entrance for entering this area.
There is also a parking lot and a bathroom just next to the Hetch Hetchy Trailhead.
What to bring
As before, make sure to prepare the same equipment as a typical American hike.
- Drinks (a lot in the summer, about 2 liters)
- Cold weather clothing that can adjust the temperature (splashes can get wet during periods of high momentum when the waterfall is in a lot. If necessary, rain jackets, etc.)
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- Other things you prefer with your regular hiking equipment
Trail data
- For intermediate to advanced users
- Season: The best season is from April to November (depending on the snowfall that year. Recommended hiking is from April to June. This photo is from April.)
- Trailhead elevation: Approx. 1120m (3,730 ft)
- Round-trip distance: 20km (12.76 mi)
- Elevation difference from the trailhead: 800m (2,625 ft)
- Course time: 6 to 8 hours round trip (including breaks)
Hiking departure from the trailhead (trailhead)
The trail entrance is located on the south side of O'Shaughnessy Dam. There is also parking space here, but it is limited. When it's crowded and full, you'll also need to park in a parking lot at a campsite dedicated to backpackers, which is a little far away. (There's a bathroom and more.)
It was 10am on April 16th, but there was still room for parking space. There are only portable toilets in the parking area, but the campsite just a little before has a flushed toilet.
The dam creates the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which collects water in the Hetch Hetchy Valley and supplies thirsty San Francisco. You can see Tueurara Falls and Wapama Falls along the walls of the valley at the back. Both are passed by this hike. This is truly the city of water.
Along the trail are three named waterfalls (Tueeulala Falls, Wapana Falls, and Rancheria Falls), and other other snow thaw season (approximately April to June) are found everywhere in rocky walls, flowing into the trail and into the reservoirs below.
The view is already spectacular from the trailhead.
First, we went over the dam,
It passes through a long tunnel dug into the granite walls of the valley. Be careful as there are droplets and puddles.
The road continues even after the tunnel. The view is spectacular.
We walk along imagining the whole picture of the Hetchy Valley, where half of it has been wiped out by the dam.
The trail swells along the valley wall, and about 20 minutes after the hike you will see one of the seasonal waterfalls that flow from the walls of the Hech-Hetchy Valley.
From April to June, the melted snow water suddenly flows out, and limited-time waterfalls appear everywhere. If you go further, you will have a first fork. It is about 1.6km from the start.
This is a fork that is easy to make mistakes, but head down the right.
At the fork, you can either follow the valley wall or descend to the right to choose a path to Miguel Meadows or Laurel Lake.
Let's go right.
There are also plants such as flowers and moss everywhere along the trail.
You can see waterfalls flowing from all over the rock wall in the top left. The photo below is Tueurara Falls.
A spectacular view spread out on the right. A rocky mountain spreads out to the left. The spectacular view continues.
And as I continued on, I came across Wapama Falls.
This waterfall is the largest waterfall on the route, and can sometimes be rainy during periods of heavy melting of snow. The trail passes right next to the waterfall, and there are many observation spots around it.
You will be exposed to water splashes to refresh yourself and continue further.
Around it was a place that looked like purple lepine flowers and red-dyed carpets, and the blue, green and plants of the lake were colorful and very beautiful.
After passing Wapama Falls, you enter the forest and the gentle ups and downs continue until you cross Tirutill Creek Falls. From here, you will have the final climb to Ranchelia Falls.
The view is truly beautiful.
Tirutil Creek Falls
Then about three hours after I started walking, I came to see the landmark of the day, the Lancheria Falls.
We went further for about 15 minutes and then we were able to take a break after the waterfall, and then we headed back on the same trail.
The trail is simple, but there is a distance and ups and downs in the second half, so it is a trail that requires great physical strength.
This is an extraordinary hiking route with spectacular views.
Please come and visit us.
Kato Sayaka
