Wapama Falls - California Waterfalls; Yosemite Natl. Park, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir-hike/trail/map/directions

Wapama Falls is the jewel of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and a must see visit in the spring. Try not to neglect going to Hetch Hetchy while on your visit to Yosemite Valley.

It is an easy 2.5 mile hike along the reservoir to Wapama Falls. Just a little past Tueeulala Falls, Wapama Falls is more powerful and impressive. It is a 1300 ft. long cascade, which rages in the spring-time. We got very wet just crossing the bridge over Falls Creek, where Wapama Falls flows over (instead of under) in some places. Then we climbed up on the rocks to have lunch with a great view of both waterfalls. If Wapama Falls is really raging strong in the spring, it will be impossible to cross the bridge (and possibly deadly if you try it), but this will only be the case at the height of snow melt.

I have seen Wapama Falls listed at a height of 1700 ft. But is actually around 1300 ft. tall. The higher figure probably originates from before the O'Shaughnessy Dam was built. At that time, Wapama Falls would have been about 400 ft. higher than it is today.

There is one more waterfall in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir area, 30 ft. Rancheria Falls. It is a long 4 miles past Wapama Falls, with a 1200 ft. elevation gain. We did not make the long trip out to see it when we were here.

18 Miles NNW Yosemite Valley CA (Elev. 5981 ft)

This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of rain after 10am. Snow level 7100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night
Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 9pm. Snow level 6600 feet rising to 7500 feet after midnight. Low around 34. Wind chill values as low as 27. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday
Rain before 10am, then rain and snow between 10am and 1pm, then rain after 1pm. Snow level 7300 feet lowering to 6600 feet in the afternoon . High near 40. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain before 7pm, then rain and snow between 7pm and 10pm, then snow after 10pm. Low around 28. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow likely before 1pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Sunday Night
Rain and snow likely, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Snow level 6100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 1pm. Snow level 6300 feet rising to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain before 1am, then rain and snow. Snow level 6800 feet. Low around 30. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain and snow. Snow level 6500 feet. High near 40. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.