Wednesday, September 5, 2012

HETCH HETCHY

Hetch Hetchy.. How can you not want to go here just because of the name? I love it.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Water source for City of SF. No fishing, boating or swimming allowed.

Water shooting out of side of mountain below the dam

Two views from face of the dam.  Don't think I want to be on the stairs. Click to enlarge

We spent Labor Day weekend in Groveland, Ca, about 25 miles from the Yosemite entrance. We ended up in Groveland because it had camping reservation when we book a week before Labor Day and  it is in our 3 hour driving limit for 3 day weekend. It's an easy drive along Hwy 49, through Angels Camp and  Sonora, heart of the gold country.
Yosemite was not the destination.
 Estimated crowds for the 3 days were 76,000, not to mention the recent outbreak of Hanta virus.  National Parks are not dog friendly for trails and
Sam-the-Dog was along for the ride.
We always explore the surrounding area where ever we camp, stop at
 ranger stations or check out other possible campsites
At the ranger station, we discovered that Hetch Hetchy was only about a 45 minute drive, perfect for us and on both of our lists of places to see.
We used our or Golden Age Passport so didn't have to pay the $10 entry fee. It's day use only area unless you are backpacking.
It's a windy drive to the reservoir. In the late summer, it's pretty dry and brown but worth the drive none-the-less. Views were spectacular just walking over the dam.
Our next visit will be in the spring when the waterfalls are running, or in the summer when the wildflowers are blooming, without Sam-the-Dog.  We want to hike the trails.
The road  is cycling friendly although steep, narrow and windy in places.