A Sierra REC Exclusive – Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy Waterfall Tour Spring 2016
Yosemite National Park – Spring, a typical season of unpredictable weather patterns, fresh breezes , flowers and flowing waterfalls in the Sierra. But the last 4-7 years have been anything but typical, as warmer winters have caused severe drought, resulting in very little precipitation, lower levels of winter run-off and natural vegetation that is struggling to adapt and survive the harsh climate.
This why when we heard that the Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park were booming this spring after an epic annual snowfall in the High Sierra, Sierra REC (ie… ME) had to go and check out the sights and sound the Sierra’s most iconic waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. This is not the easiest of Day trips to make, but that was the allotment of time we had to discover and enjoy what Spring had Sprung in Yosemite in 2016.
The Drive:
Old HWY 49 is really a great drive sometimes. Coming from the Carson Valley on the East side of the Sierra we planned our route across HWY 88 to Jackson Ca. and along HWY 49 through San Andreas, Angels Camp and Sonora. Spring green is everywhere right now and it looks like the foothills have just awoke from a long winter’s nap. The Reservoirs have so much more water than last April when we visited and the vegetation has welcomed the additional water from this wet winter.
Driving on the 120 East into Yosemite is always the toughest hour, maybe because of the excitement of getting into the park, however old Priest grade will not only save you some time but cause your blood pressure to rise if you dare take this cutoff road just east of Moccasin Reservoir. The remanents of the Rim Fire are sure interesting to drive through as you approach Yosemite. The ground is now covered with spring-time green grass and flowers yet the scare is seen in the black trees that go for miles.
Yosemite National Park
Coming in on Hwy 120 E gives you a great opportunity for images of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel view pull off and then multiple cascades of spring run off waterfalls. Our first stop on this trip was Cascade Creek Waterfall.
Hetch Hetchy
On this trip we missed the Iconic Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. We skipped these great falls this season to take a trip back up HWY 120 to Hetch Hetchy reservoir and the chance to hike to  Wapama Fall and to see Tueeulala Fall.