Revisiting the Hetch

by Van-Tramp · Published April 27, 2018 · Updated April 26, 2018

We had canceled our reservations to camp in the Yosemite Valley because 1) we had both been there multiple times, and 2) the damn crowds. Instead we chose to visit the Hetch Hetchy Valley (a revisit for me) and hike out to a not-so-well-known water fall; Wapama Falls

Even though 40 cars (said the Ranger at the gate, who loved Big Blue’s “tactical brown” paint) beat us into the parking area, one space was left available for the big van. Here we opened the doors and started preparing our breakfast after the hour drive from our camp on top of the mountain. After eating and applying ample sun block to Kerri’s delicate skin, we set out for our first hike together in some time. The dogs had to stay back at the van – it being a National Park and all. The hike felt good, and the payoff at the end of the 2.5 miles was amazing in April with the water runoff being near peak. Wapama Falls was a raging bull, spitting it’s water onto the boardwalk trail and beyond. I love just how close you can safely be to this fall – not only to get misted, but to really feel the power of it all.

After a quick lunch we hiked back, piled into the van, and set out for a spot in the forest where I had camped before, back in 2011. I’m pretty sure I found it, but it wasn’t guaranteed thanks to the massive fire damage that was in the area. Back in ’11 Big Blue and I camped under huge pines. Now, nothing but ashen stumps existed. So, we drove on down the road with our eyes open for a dirt road to beckon us in. It didn’t take long at all, and after a few minutes scouting around we stumbled onto a spot that I think Kerri wanted to settle down for good. We camped right beside a small river (or stream, I guess) under tall pines. The area had obviously been camped in before, but not for some time. First thing Kerri did was start picking up the trash left behind by others. Not that we have any room to carry an additional bag of trash, she does it anyway at every spot we come too. We then settled into a beautiful night of axe sharpening, cocktails, and laughing before pulling the bed out and sleeping with our windows open for the first time in a while.