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
A slight chance of rain between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. West southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of rain between 8pm and 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 53. Light and variable wind becoming west southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest in the evening.
Friday
A chance of rain, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Snow level 6600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Snow level 6600 feet lowering to 6000 feet after midnight . Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 55. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 59. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. West wind around 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.