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)

Overnight
A slight chance of snow before 4am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 10am. Snow level 6900 feet rising to 7500 feet in the afternoon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Thursday Night
A 10 percent chance of rain after 4am. Snow level 6600 feet. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 51. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain before 10pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10pm. Low around 34. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Rain. Snow level 7300 feet lowering to 6800 feet in the afternoon . High near 41. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain and snow. Snow level 6300 feet. 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 2 inches possible.
Sunday
Rain and snow likely before 7am, then snow likely between 7am and 10am, then rain and snow likely after 10am. Snow level rising to 6500 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 6300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. South southeast wind 5 to 10 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 6000 feet rising to 6600 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 6300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 6300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. West southwest wind around 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.