Day Hike along the Hetch Hetchy reservoir.

This was a fairly easy out-and-back hike along the Hetch Hetchy low country. There are three waterfalls along this trail: Tueelala (a seasonal waterfall that drys up by late spring), Wapama (The fall visible from the main parking area), and Rancheria Falls (a series of cascades near the rear of the reservoir).

Was late getting to the park due to a fatal accident on route 120 that blocked the road for about an hour. (See this article from t he Modesto Bee). I was stopped within sight of the accident and it was a pretty depressing beginning to the day.

The park entrance switched to its Spring hours (7-7), so there was no rush to get back before the gate closed. It's already pretty hot in the valley, though there was still a fair amount of snow on t he north facing slopes. The trailhead started at the O'Shaughnessy Dam and the first mile was the same as my Lake Vernon hikes from earlier in the month. The trail followed the north shore of the re servoir, never going above 4500 feet or so. Lots of snowmelt, so there was a good deal of water in all three falls.

(Check the Backcountry link on the left for other trips to the Hetch Hetchy area.)