Top 6 Things to Do in Hetch Hetchy

Only a few hours for San Francisco, the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and wilderness is a place of similar beauty to Yosemite Valley, yet without the crowds of tourists. Hike on the awesome waterfall trails and you will be able to experience the Yosemite that John Muir knew. Imagine this pristine valley before the erection of the O'Shauhnessy Damn changed it forever, and you will begin to understand this naturalist, his passion for this special place, and why he fought so hard to preserve this jewel of the Sierra.

Surrounded by the Stanislaus Forest, this lovely historic hotel offers cabin and house rentals for families and smaller groups. The lodge is conveniently located one mile from the entrance to Yosemite at opening of the Hetch Hetchy Valley.
Although John Muir would argue that the valley was far superior, the lake created by the O'Shauhnessy Damn is still attractive. Walk across the damn and read the interpretive signs about the history of Muir's struggle to save the valley.
This is a popular event so be sure to get your tickets well in advance.If you are going to be visiting the Hetch Hetchy area why not plan to come to Mather Camp in May for the Bluegrass experience of a lifetime.
This 5.5 mil round trip trail ascends 200 ft. Wapama, which flows year round, is the larger of the two falls that cascade into the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. The spray can be substantial, so be sure to wear waterproof gear.
The 8 mile trail to Laurel Lake is relatively flat and therefore, a good place to get in condition for more challenging hikes. The water in Laurel is warmer that many, so it is a good choice for swimming in summer.
This easy and lovely hike is 4.6 miles round trip. The tiered waterfall is almost 900 ft high and most voluminous in the spring.
The 8 mile trail to Laurel Lake is relatively flat and therefore, a good place to get in condition for more challenging hikes.
If you are going to be visiting the Hetch Hetchy area why not plan to come to Mather Camp in May for the Bluegrass experience of a lifetime. The Strawberry Music Festival opens May 26 - 30. This is a popular event so be sure to get your tickets well in advance. More
If you are going to be visiting the Hetch Hetchy area why not plan to come to Mather Camp in May for the Bluegrass experience of a lifetime. The Strawberry Music Festival opens May 26 - 30. This is a popular event so be sure to get your tickets well in advance.
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About the Author

Jana Lane
Jana Lane
I am the Vice President of an international, non-profit conservation organization, Save the Turtles, Inc. My eight years as a hands-on VP has provided me with plenty of experience writing web content, proposals, ad copy, brochures, fliers, promotional material, letters of inquiry (the list could go on and on.) Writing for Save the Turtle's website has provided me with great exposure to the concepts and practices of SEO. It seems that we have done rather well as our Google ranking is most often number one on the page. Although, I am still on the board of Save the Turtles and every bit as passionate about saving endangered species as ever, I am currently also enjoying another incarnation as a freelance writer. I love, love, love writing travel blogs! Lately, I have been writing for Uptake.com. and Mynatour, an eco-travel site based in London. I have also written an number of articles for other sites covering such wide-ranging topics as health, food, real estate, and science. My goal, with each writing assignment, is to match each clients individual needs by writing with an appropriate "voice" and level of readability for each unique, target audience. Please feel free to scroll and read!

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