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| | Hetch Hetchy Loop - Yosemite, CA | | | |
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Hetch Hetchy Loop - Yosemite, CA
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| Backpack | 55.00 Miles |
9,500 AEG |
| | Backpack | 55.00 Miles | 5 Days | | |
| 9,500 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | For our 2024 summer trip, we set our sights on Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. It’s an area I’ve never been to and I looked over a map and came up with a five day itinerary that included a layover day, something we rarely do. Most of our trips we pack up and move each day. Having a base camp for two nights is a real treat. We met up around mid morning on Wednesday, June 19th. We made the long drive to Merced, CA and got a hotel. We would make final preparations and head out the next morning.
Thursday, June 20 (Hetch Hetchy Trailhead to Laurel Lake Junction, day hike to Laurel Lake) 12 miles & 3,500ft
We left Merced fairly early and made the 2+ hour drive to the Hetch Hetchy entrance station where we met the ranger a went through the process of getting our permit. There was another group he was finishing up with and apparently he made them remove their Bear Cannister saying he had to see it. In my 10+ years of backpacking in Yosemite, this was a first. I’ve never been asked to physically show my cannister. After some discussion, he agreed to tap on the sides of our pack and feel for our cannister. Once this was done, we had our permit and headed to the trailhead. Backpackers have to park a bit further back but it’s not a big deal. We made final preparations and headed in!
The initial start to the hike is very easy. You cross the O’Shaughnessy Dam and parallel the reservoir. It’s easy going and very scenic. This section had a handful of day hikers that would quickly thin out. After a mile or so we hit the start of our lasso loop and headed north up several switchbacks that climb in elevation. We would take a break at the top and then continued to the junction with Laurel Lake where we found a decent campsite that had a spring close by. We would set up camp and then made a day hike to Laurel Lake. If I was to do this again, I would camp at the lake because there are good campsites and the views are fantastic. Afterward, we headed back to the camp and settled in for the evening.
Friday, June 21 (Laurel Lake junction to Jack Main Canyon) 10 miles & 2,300ft
Our day two started with a relaxed morning at camp as we ate breakfast and packed up camp. We were on trail just before 9am and have a moderate day planned. We’re heading to the northeast and our goal is Jack Main Canyon. Along the way we worked our way up the Moraine Ridge. The views were fantastic as you look down on Lake Vernon. We made steady progress and took breaks when needed. With some effort we arrived at Jack Main Canyon and continued a few more miles and decided to camp near a trail junction. We actually had to split up to find a site. The area I checked was a bust but Chumley found a nice option situated along the creek. We would set up camp and then enjoyed the area. We took a quick dip in the river but it was freezing cold. I could only handle it for a moment and had to bail to dry land. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying the campfire but the mosquitos were relentless. There were some of the worst we’ve ever encountered and that says a lot!
Saturday, June 22 (Day hike to Wilma Lake & a short segment of the PCT) 11.5 miles & 1,900ft
For day three, we’re spending another night in the same campsite and have a nice day hike planned. We’ll be heading to the northeast towards Wilma Lake and the PCT. We’ll then do a short out and back before continuing a CW loop that will bring us back to camp. The going was relatively easy as we followed the creek to the NE and eventually arrived at the lake. We found an old forest cabin there and then made the short out n back. We really enjoyed the area and saw a handful of PCT hikers. From there continued to the east and then turned south and hiked along Tilden Creek. With some effort we arrived at a junction and then headed west back towards camp. We’re hiking back this way the next day and will then head south for Tiltill Valley. Once back at camp it was another relaxing evening around the campfire and dealing with the mosquitos.
Sunday, June 23 (Jack Main Canyon to Rancheria Falls) 14 miles & 1,500ft
On day four, we packed up camp and had our longest day planned with just over 14 miles. We started by retracing our steps from yesterday as we connected onto trail near Tilden Canyon. From there it’s relatively easy going as we head south. The miles ticked by as we dropped in elevation. It was warm but not overly hot. We eventually arrived at Tiltill Valley and had to navigate through the meadow. The “trail” is nonexistent and the best advice I can give is to follow a general heading and just wing it. With some effort we got through and made the final push to Rancheria Falls. This last section involved a significant drop in elevation and the temps climbed at the lower elevation.
We finally arrived at the camp by Rancheria Falls and were delighted to find it vacant. We would set up camp and then explored the area. Rancheria Falls is a quality waterfall and the camp is fantastic. We eventually settled in for the night and enjoyed our last campfire of the trip. And the mosquitoes were few and far between. It was a delightful evening.
Monday, June 24 (Rancheria Falls to Hetch Hetchy Trailhead, and return home to Phoenix) 7 miles & 1,400ft
Our last day was fairly mild as we only had about seven miles along the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The going is fairly easy as we hiked out. We found an amazing campsite about a mile from Rancheria Falls. I wish we camped here but it’s too late & I doubt I ever make a return trip. We continued hiking out and passed Wapama Falls which is another amazing waterfall. From there it was a few more miles to the trailhead. I would hike back to the car at the backpackers parking area and then drove it to the trailhead where I met Chumley and Karl. We would pack up and then made the long drive back to Phoenix. Another amazing trip in the books! |
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