Yosemite Backpacking – Hetch Hetchy

Yosemite Backpacking: Hetch Hetchy Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Meet your fellow adventurers at the Backpackers' Campground to enjoy dinner and conversation, as well as an orientation and gear check.

  This trip begins in Yosemite National Park, CA. Today you will meet your guides and the other group members at 5:30pm at the Hetch Hetchy Backpackers' Campground, located just south of the dam next to the parking area. We will enjoy a full trip orientation, learning about John Muir's efforts to fight the Raker Act, the act that granted permission to build O'Shaughnessy Dam and flood the Hetch Hetchy Valley. "As well dam for water-tanks the people's cathedrals and churches," Muir said, "for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man." We will do a full gear check and enjoy dinner together at camp.

• Day 2 With packs loaded, we'll set out for our backcountry campsite, hiking above Hetch Hetchy Valley and taking in views of Tueeulala and Wapama Falls.

  We enjoy breakfast in camp before packing up. We will start out hiking on-trail to our backcountry campsite near Rancheria Falls. This is typically a full first day of backpacking, with time along the way for lunch and teachable moments. Today's trail runs above peaceful Hetch Hetchy Valley and reservoir traveling at around 4,000 feet. We will stop for lunch and the photo opportunities presented by Tueeulala and Wapama waterfalls, as well as the plethora of wildflowers in their full spring bloom at our feet. Your guides share the human history of this valley, and the healthy debate around its use and protection. This will be a 6-mile hike, beginning at around 3,800' and ending at camp near rushing Rancheria Falls (4,700') swollen with spring snow melt. A refreshing dip in the creek washes away the miles. All meals provided.

  Backpacking: 6.4 miles; ~600' elevation gain

• Day 3 Trading our backpacks for daypacks, we set out from our backcountry camp to day hike the lush Tiltill Valley before returning to camp.

  After breakfast, we continue exploring the Yosemite backcountry. Today, we'll load our daypacks and set out for Tiltill Valley. We'll look for wildlife and more flowers along the way and experience the changing climate zones as we climb up another 1,000 feet. Lunch will be in the lush Tiltill Valley meadow surrounded by pines among the deer and flowers. Hetch Hetchy has been called Yosemite Valley's little sister, equal in beauty to Yosemite Valley's waterfalls and domes, although much more intimate. Look forward to a refreshing evening dip and dinner as we enjoy our last night beneath the bright Sierra stars. All meals provided.

  Day-hiking: 5.6 miles; ~1050' elevation gain and loss

• Day 4 Break camp and hike out of the backcountry, returning to the trailhead in time for afternoon farewells as our adventure ends today.

  We'll enjoy breakfast before breaking camp and making our way out of the backcountry. Retracing our path through forest and flowers and misty rainbows at the base of the waterfalls, we complete our journey and come to understand why the fight to reclaim this valley continues to this day. We plan to arrive back at our trailhead by 4:00 p.m. but there is no guarantee that we'll make it to our vehicles by then, so those flying out of Fresno should plan no flights before 9:30 p.m. and those flying out of Oakland should plan no flights before 10:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch included.

  Backpacking: 6.4 miles; ~600' elevation loss

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.  There are numerous beautiful and suitable routes available to our guides, and these routes may be utilized instead of those published in this itinerary when circumstances or conditions warrant. This trip is operated rain or shine.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Professional instruction and guiding; meals as noted on the daily itinerary; 2-person tents; group cooking gear; group first aid kit, water filter; campsite and permit fees.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Merced, CA: 80 miles, 2 hours
Fresno, CA: 100 miles, 4 hours
Oakland, CA: 180 miles, 5.5 hours
Reno, NV: 180 miles, 5.5 hours

There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place. Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway. Although YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation Service) does offer transportation from Merced to Yosemite National Park, it does not serve the Hetch Hetchy area.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 60-80 degrees F, with evening temperatures dropping to the 40s or 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility so adequate raingear is important.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Daytime temperatures usually range between 60º and 80º F, with evening temperatures dropping to the 40s or 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility so adequate raingear is important.

Gear Checklist