Hetch Hetchy
We leave early Friday and arrive at the entrance at Hetch Hetchy just before noon. Soon after we pass the backpackers camp, we manage to find a parking spot right next to the bridge. We decide to hide the bag of snacks under the car, in case the bears smell them. If so, we prefer to make it easy for them, rather than have them break open the car. We cross the bridge towards the tunnel that leads to the trailhead, and we marvel at the beauty of the reservoir and the amount of water streaming down on the other side of the dam. It is the main water source for most of us in the Bay Area. I have done this hike twice on backpacking trips to the Rancheria Falls in 2000 and 2020. Normally the trail goes along the waterfalls. Not this time.
Crossing the Tueeulala Falls
The first part of the trail is pleasant, and we see tons of beautiful butterflies. However, when we get closer to the Wapama falls, we realize that the Tueeulala falls, have taken over part of the trail. Water is streaming at a fairly high speed across the trail. We look at each other. Do we and should we really do this? We watch as a father with a young boy on his shoulder crosses from the other side towards us. When he reaches us, he tells us that it is not as bad as it looks. The rocks underneath are flat and not too slippery. We should just carefully negotiate our way to the other side. As we really want to see the Wapama falls, we decide to go for it. We stay close to the hill side of the trail, but at one point, the water really pulls us towards the edge. Somehow, we make it to the other side without falling.
Wapama falls
We continue our hike and soon we reach the footbridges that go along and across the Wapama falls. Previous two times, the bridges were high over the water and the falls would have turned to gentle streams underneath the bridges. We would take of our shoes and wade in them, and the kids (and some adults) would swim. Not today. The water is gushing all over the trail and by the time we cross all three bridges, we are soaked. It is exhilarating though, and once on the other side, the sun warms us quickly. We have to do this again of course, but not until after we have a picnic lunch on the side of the trail, taking in the spectacular views of this force of nature. 7 miles and 3 1/2 hours later, we are back at the car, where we are glad to see that the bears did not touch our snacks.
Dinner at the historic Ahwahnee hotel
We stop at the Evergreen lodge. After this adventure, we deserve a drink. I have a refreshing local white beer and Mandi has a cocktail. We change from our hiking clothes in our summer dresses. We are having dinner in the dining room of the Ahwahnee hotel, and they have a dress code. It is a pleasant drive into the valley, with hardly any traffic. After all these years, I have still not been at the Ahwahnee hotel, and I am excited. The hotel is beautiful with high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows with views of Valley from every side. Although we are impressed with the views, we are not with the food. The kitchen is being remodeled, so instead of the al-la carte menu, there is a buffet. The food is mediocre and on top of that, most dishes have lemon, so there are limited options for me.
Night in the Valley
All the Falls in a day
Glacier Point
We park at the Yosemite Lodge parking lot. As we are still early enough, we find parking, but it is already filling up. You definitely need to be early on weekend days, or parking will be hard. We walk the short walk to the Lower Yosemite falls. They looked already big from Glacier Point, but standing at the bottom, you realize how big and powerful they really are. We see some little dots on top, people who were brave enough to hike to the top. It is a brutal hike I have done once and have no intention of doing again.
Mirror Lake
Next stop is Mirror Lake. However, first we make a stop at the market shop in Yosemite Lodge. We are both hungry, so we buy some sandwiches and snacks. From the Lodge, we follow the trail along the Merced River, bigger than I have ever seen it, until we find a bridge where we can cross. At the other side we find a nice picnic area. Refueled, we decide to walk towards Curry Village to catch a bus to the trailhead of Mirror Lake. Unfortunately, when boarding the bus, the driver tells us the road towards the trailhead is closed and the closest stop is at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Ironically it would have been quicker if we would have walked there from the Yosemite Falls instead of our several mile detour via Curry Village. We reach Mirror Lake. What is normally a calm lake, with beautiful reflections, is today a wild streaming river. Not much of a mirror to be seen, although I manage to snap one good picture.
Bridal Veil Falls
Chasing Dogwood
While my main goal was to chase waterfalls, Mandi had one more: chasing Dogwood trees. I had never heard of them until Mandi pointed them out. This was the beginning of the blooming season and once Mandi had pointed them out, I saw them everywhere. Their delicate white flowers blending in with their surroundings. You really had to know them and look for them.
Tips and tricks
Photo credit: Mandi Mena, Mariel van Tatenhove