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)

Today
Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 40. Wind chill values as low as 20. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow showers before 8pm, then snow, mainly after 8pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 24. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Tuesday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 34. Wind chill values as low as 16. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.
Tuesday Night
Snow showers before 11pm, then a slight chance of snow after 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 22. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 50. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 52. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 34. East northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 57. East wind 5 to 15 mph.