Wapama Falls - Backpack and Hike near Groveland, California
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, California, USA,Groveland,California
37.94648252152147, -119.7874752684425
25.3 miles E of Groveland, California
Address: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, California, USA
GPS: 37°56'47.3"N 119°47'14.9"W
Maps | Directions
State: California
Trail Length: 4.60 miles
Trail Type: Out & Back
Hike Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 954 feet
Trails/Routes: 4.7 mi

Lakes Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers National Park

Backpack and Hike

A 5 mile hike along the shoreline of the Hetch Hetchy reservoir will take you to one of Yosemite's famous waterfalls. The hike to the fall is moderate, takes about 2.5-5 hours to complete and offers views of Tueeulala, mountains and the reservoir.

Wapama Falls currently stands at 1000 ft, but it was an extra 400 ft taller before the dam was built. Once the water raised from the dam, the bottom of Wapama Falls became engulfed into the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

This hike is one of the most engaging hikes in Yosemite. Walk over a bridge to cross the O'Shaughnessy Dam, go through a short tunnel, and prepare to get sprayed by the falls. Though the hike is along the reservoir, boating and swimming is not permitted, which adds to the solitude and peacefulness of the hike. There is a bridge at the bottom of Wapama Falls that offers different viewpoints of the falls, the Hetch Hetchy reservoir, and the O'Shaughnessy Dam, but it's possible for the water to get high enough to flow over the bridge after particularly wet winters.

Because of the power of the raging waters, Wapama Falls trail stays closed throughout the winter and early spring. Even once the trail is open, it is still possible the water may be too high, flooding the bridge and making it dangerous and impassable. Later in the season is the best time to visit because the water is low enough to make crossing the bridges and exploring the reservoir safe. The hike to see Wapama Falls is a relatively short trail that offers some of the most amazing views of a part of Yosemite few people take the time to visit.

942 Written by smbrady17

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Groveland, California

  1. Head northeast on CA-120 E/Main St toward Back St
    Continue to follow CA-120 E
    (13.9 mi)
  2. Turn left onto Cherry Lake Rd/Forest Rte 1N07 (75 ft)
  3. Turn right to stay on Cherry Lake Rd/Forest Rte 1N07
    Continue to follow Forest Rte 1N07
    (5.3 mi)
  4. Slight right onto Forest Rte 1S02 (3.4 mi)
  5. Continue onto Mather Rd (381 ft)
  6. Continue straight (1.3 mi)
  7. Continue onto Forest Rte 1S02/Mather Rd (2.6 mi)
  8. Continue onto Hetch Hetchy Rd (1.6 mi)
  9. Continue onto Evergreen Rd (0.2 mi)
  10. Continue onto Hetch Hetchy Rd (2.6 mi)
  11. Continue onto Evergreen Rd
    Destination will be on the right
    (4.9 mi)
or

Park at Hetch Hetchy, cross the dam and go through the tunnel to meet the trailhead.

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Wapama Falls courtesy of Inklein Wapama Falls courtesy of Inklein↗
Wapama Falls courtesy of Richard Wood Wapama Falls courtesy of Richard Wood↗ Wapama Falls Bridge courtesy of Richard Wood Wapama Falls Bridge courtesy of Richard Wood↗
942

Added by smbrady17

Trails

Distance ?

4.7 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

40 feet

Real Ascent ?

845 feet

Real Descent ?

805 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-50° to 53°)

-118% to 133%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

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