moderate
6–8 hours total hiking over 2 days
Participants should have a moderate fitness level, able to carry a backpack and hike uneven terrain comfortably.
Discover beginner-friendly backpacking and fishing in California's Hetch Hetchy Valley. Spend 2 days exploring waterfalls, fishing pristine waters, and camping under the stars.
Our 2 day, 1 night Waterfalls Backpacking Adventure is perfect for beginner adventurers looking for a beautiful trail away from the notorious Yosemite crowds.
Day 1 | Meet your guide after breakfast around 8 AM at a convenient prearranged meet up location to pack gear and talk safety. We'll immediately head into the Hetch Hetchy region of Yosemite National Park and begin our 7 mile day at the O’Shaughnessy Dam and spend the entire day in view of the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. Once considered the sister valley to the Yosemite Valley before it was dammed in 1920, Hetchy Hetchy Valley is packed with incredible scenery, towering granite peaks, and the thundering 1200 foot Wapama Falls. We’ll end this incredible day with campfire stories and a huge camp dinner at the Rancheria Falls campground.
Day 2 | We'll wake with the sun and enjoy coffee and a hearty mountain breakfast before slowly making our way back along the Hetch Hetchy Resevoir. In addition to keeping a keen eye out for bears, your guide will entertain you with stories of Hetchy’s contentious past that is said to have brought an end to our beloved John Muir. We’ll end the evening with burgers at the historic Evergreen Lodge.
A complete list provided upon request and in your confirmation email.
2 Days and 1 Nights
Bring compact and lightweight fishing equipment to keep your backpack manageable on the trail.
Although near water bodies, always bring sufficient water for hiking and hydration.
Use sturdy hiking boots with good traction to navigate rocky and sometimes slippery terrain safely.
Help conserve fish populations by releasing what you catch, following local regulations.
Hetch Hetchy Valley was historically inhabited by the Miwok people before becoming a reservoir in the early 20th century.
Visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles to protect this delicate ecosystem and maintain fish populations.
Keeps you dry and comfortable overnight without adding bulk.
Compact fishing gear tailored for trout in calm reservoir waters.
Ensures safe drinking water from natural sources along the trail.
Adaptive clothing helps you stay comfortable as temperatures fluctuate.
spring specific