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. West southwest wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 11pm. Snow level 7900 feet lowering to 6800 feet after midnight . Cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 9am and 10am, then rain showers likely after 10am. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 6600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Night
A slight chance of rain showers before 10pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 10pm and 11pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 33. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 55. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 63. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 44. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 66. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.