The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Hetch Hetchy
When you think of Yosemite National Park, you probably think of Half Dome, El Cap, Yosemite falls, beautiful meadows, or unbelievable views of the Eastern Sierra Mountains. Rarely, do you hear about the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. Hetch Hetchy is a hidden treasure that lies in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park. It’s a jaw-dropping trail, way less crowded than other areas of the park, and is a perfect weekend backpacking trip for any level of experience.
DETAILS
Where: Northwest portion of Yosemite National Park
Distance: about 27 miles
Elevation: about 5,850 ft. gain; peak elevation at 7,866 ft.
Time of Year: May-October (I went in November during the first winter storm of the season!)
Permit: Yes (May to October); self-issued permit November to April
PERMIT
If you’re familiar with Yosemite National Park, you know how competitive their permit system is. Thankfully, Hetch Hetchy is a lesser visited part of the park and therefore slightly less competitive.
Wilderness permits are required for any overnight trips between May and October. In order to apply, go to the Yosemite Wilderness permit application. There are about 42 total permits per day for the two main trailheads (21 for Beehive Meadow and 21 for Rancheria Falls). For more information about which trailhead to start at, check out my Hetch Hetchy Itinerary. About 60% of the permits are available 24 weeks (168 days) in advance and the remaining 40% are available one day in advance. If your application is accepted, you must pay $5 per reservation plus $5 per person. Make sure to pay right away in order to secure the permit!
GEAR
Check out my weekend backpacking trip gear list for a detailed list on what to bring. Here are some extra details:
Bear canisters are required
Bring a water filter! Laurel Lake, Lake Vernon, Tiltill Creek, Rancheria Falls are all great places to fill up on water.
Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat – the trail is pretty exposed
Mosquitoes can get pretty bad in the summer so don’t forget bug spray and head nets!
WHERE & PARKING
Hetch Hetchy is located in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park. It’s located about 6 hours from Los Angeles and 3.5 hours from San Francisco. The gates into the reservoir are not open overnight so you must plan accordingly. The opening hours are as follows (check with a ranger beforehand to make sure there are no changes):
8AM to 7PM = April 1 to April 30
7AM to 9PM = May 1 to Labor Day
8AM to 7PM = Day after Labor Day to October 31
8AM to 5 PM = November 1 to March 31
If you’re able to arrive the day before your trip, you can stay in the backpacker’s campground for one night. It’s located right before the trailhead and costs $6 per person. If you prefer to arrive on the first day of your trip, you can enter after the gates open in the morning. Overnight parking is located right at the trailhead. Make sure to remove all scented items from your car before heading off!
TRAIL
There are so many different hiking and backpacking options within Hetch Hetchy depending on the number of days and miles you want to do. I break down all of the options and elevation profiles in my Hetch Hetchy Itinerary blog post. If you prefer to only day hike, I list all of those options as well.
The trail itself is rated as difficult but is great for both beginner or experienced backpackers. You’ll climb out of the valley, through wooded hills, across flat stretches of granite, sleep next to a beautiful lake, and overlook the most breathtaking reservoir. If you choose to do the entire loop, like I did, the trail starts at the O’Shaughnessy Dam and loops around past Laurel Lake, Lake Vernon, and Rancheria Falls. The trail is pretty easy to follow but I would recommend downloading the offline maps on AllTrails just in case.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable weekend backpacking trip in California, Hetch Hetchy should be at the top of your list. If you have any questions or would like to share how your trip goes, send me a comment!