Hetch Hetchy (Little Yosemite) via Groveland

One of our favorite day trips from Sonora is a drive to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir via the little town of Groveland. Groveland is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Sonora. Sometimes we stop in Groveland for lunch. Most of the time we pack a lunch and eat once we reach Hetch Hetchy.

Downtown Groveland

Our favorite thrift store.

Hetch Hetchy Valley was once apart of Yosemite National Park.The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 destroyed the majority of San Francisco’s water system. As a direct result of this, the Raker Act of 1913 was passed. The Raker Act granted San Francisco the public use of lands to build the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power Project. What was once HetchHetchy Valley is now Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Today, there is a movement to restore Hetchy Hetchy.

Hetch Hetchy Valley 1885

By Ferdinand Richardt

Hetch Hetchy Valley 1890

by Albery Bierstadt

Hetch Hetchy Today

There are several trails around Hetch Hetchy. One of the trails starts at the dam and wraps around the reservoir. 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). They are fairly easy hikes but wear good shoes.

Link to Hiking the Hetch Hetchy