Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls
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2 Days & 2 Nights
April 17th-19th 2009
6.3 Miles One Way, 12.6 Miles In & Out
Tom Harrison Maps: Hetch Hetchy Trail Map
Trail Head: O'Shaughnessy Dam Grids 03-04 & 54-55
Daytime Temperatures: 80-85 Degrees F
Nighttime Temperatures: 35-40 Degrees FBPLer's Gathering of Gear Geeks
Arriving on Friday late afternoon, we were surprised to find that all of the permits for the day for Rancheria Falls campsite had been taken. We drove to back out to a local store and found an internet connection and quickly posted an urgent message on the BPL site to tell others to come up ASAP or risk not having a permit to camp at Rancheria Falls Campsite on Saturday. We stayed overnight at the Backpacker's Campsite at the trail head. $5 per person per night. A ranger checked to make sure that we paid our money early the next morning. There were some 15 or so sites, each able to comfortably allow for two tents. Each had a bear box to store food and a picnic bench. Clean running water, toilets, and wash basin were available.
Jeremy's Home Made Camp Sandal
Sandal Made from Shoe Insole and Kelty Tripstease Line
Ken Killing Time with Beers from the Local Country Store
Jeremy Preparing for his Boil in a Bag Dinner by Filling His 550 ML Ti Mug from a 4 Liter Playtpus Water Tank
Jeremy using the 0.2 oz GramCracker – Titanium Solid Fuel Stove for the first time. TrailDesigns Ti-Tri Caldera Cone in the background. We found that squirting a few drops of alcohol hand sanitizer on the esbit fuel tablet served as a nice fire starter to help ignite the tablet and reduce the amount of fuel used by the lighter to get the tablet burning.
Bob's Six Moon Designs 7.0 oz Serenity Net Tent, which is designed to be used as a stand alone bug shelter or with the Gatewood Cape. Golite Ultra 20 1 lb 3 oz Quilt inside.
Ken, Jeremy, and Bob enjoying the Sunset with a good meal, drink, and conversation
Night Time View of the Tunnel to the Trail Head at O'Shaughnessy Dam
Ken Sleeping out in his Western Mountaineering Ultralite using his Virga Tarptent as a ground cloth
Jeremy Preparing for Breakfast. Solo Bear Vault on the end of the table. Yellow eVent Mountain Laurel Designs Soul Side Zip Bivy with Marmot Atom 40 F 1 lb sleeping bag. MLD Superlight bivy with Golite Ultra 20 quilt in the background. Golite Jam2 pack on the picnic table.
Tony Greets the Sun while Drying the Condensation from his Bivy and Sleeping Bag
Walking Through the Day Vistor's Parking Lot.
First View of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which is the drinking water source for San Francisco.Walking Across O'Shaughnessy Dam, elevation 3815 ft.
The Journey that Awaits
Wapama Falls in the Distance
Hetch Hetchy Dome lies to the Right of Wapama FallsShort Tunnel to the Trail Head
This tunnel starts on the Northern End of O'SHaughnessy Dam and cuts into the mountainside to exit out to the trail head
Cameron in the lead with Jeremy followingHeading Up and Out onto the Trail
Due to snow, April is about the earliest that you can venture out here. This may have been the first weekend that the trail was open. Rancheria Falls is the most popular destination for backpackers at Hetch Hetchy due to its relatively low elevation and easy access.
The elevation gain from O'Shaughnessy Dam to Rancheria Falls Campsite is only 835 ft.According to the TOPO! Yosemite program, it is 5.9 miles from the dam to Rancheria Creek, 2543' total ascent, 1641' total descent, 893 net ascent. (Information graciously provided by Bob)
Bob Passing Along on the Trail
Bob is sporting a Wild Ideas Bearikade food canister on top of his pack, which is a composite material cylinder with what looks like aircraft aluminum ends. It is the lightest bear canister that you can buy that is approved for use in the Sierras.Note: Bob has an interesting solution to the problem of having the bear canister sucking up valuable space inside of his pack. He simply puts all of his food in a stuff sack in his pack and straps the empty bear canister on top of his pack so that his load is not top heavy, if the food was in the canister.
Full View of the Dam
Low Water Line, effects of years of droughtCameron Sporting a Rarely Seen BPL Merino Wool Hoody with sleeves rolled up and Gossamer Gear Mariposa Pack
Gentle Bend in the Trail
Tueeulala Falls
Tueelala Falls
Photos Courtesy of CameronBob Pounding Through the Rocky Trail
Cameron Taking in the View
Moving Along the Edge of the Resevoir
Anyone Got Hiking Poles?
Jeremy is sporting a Mountain Laurel Design Small Size 2009 Exodus Pack with MLD 0.65 oz Bottle Pocket on his Shoulder StrapRare Photo of Tony & Jeremy Together
Tony is wearing his trusty super dorky Sunday Afternoon Hat, sporting a Golite Jam2 Pack with Gossamer Gear 2.0 oz Thinlight Sleeping Pad strapped on the side of the packPhoto Courtesy of Cameron
Crossing the First Bridge of Wapama Falls
Contrast in Elevation
Wapama Falls
Wapama Falls II
Photo Courtesy of DenisWater Under the Bridge
The water source for Wapama Falls is Lake Vernon at 6564 ft of elevation that is North East of the Falls and is accessible 1.0 mile from the trail head by taking a series of switchbacks North where the trail splits*See other photo essay on Hetch Hetchy & Lake Vernon
The Many Paths of Water
View from the Bridge Looking East
Photo Courtesy of DenisThree Bridges to Somewhere on the other side of the Rainbow
Wapama Falls is the most popular destination for day hikers visiting Hetch Hetchy Resevoir
In wetter times, walking across these bridges would leave you soaked to the bone from the powerful mist from the water pounding on the granite boulders below the fallsCameron Coming Across the Bridge and Having Enjoyed a Cool Mist
Wapama Falls Draining into Hetch Hetchy
Back on the Trail
Jeremy take a water break with the Aquamira Frontier Pro
Jeremy is using a disposable plastic water bottle and filling it up with water from the falls and attaching the 1.97 oz Frontier Pro to itKolana Rock
Elevation 5772 ftGazing Back at Wapama Falls
Photo Courtesy of CameronRunning into fellow BPLer, Anthony, who drove 6 hours from Los Angeles to do an overnighter at Rancheria Falls Campsite. We ran into him as he was hiking out. Apparently, he had to work the next day, Sunday.
Unfortunately, since we could not get permits the day before, we missed being able to spend time with him on this tripLooking back at Kolana Rock
In Sight of Snow
Granite, Mud, and Grass
Jeremy, Cameron, Bob, and KenSharing the Journey
Serene Elementals on the Trail
Not a Bad Place to Be Marching Along
LeConte Point
Elevation 6388 ftDestination within Site
Crossing the Last Bridge to Rancheria Falls
More Water Under the Bridge
Bob Cutting His Own Path
View of Rancheria Falls Site
Top of the Water
Following the Water Down
The Rush of White Water
Details in the Water
Sky to Water
Cameron Walking Along the Water
Despite that the fact that the formal Rancheria Campsite is above this water slide, many people camped along the shores of this river downstream of this location with its expanses of granite
Rancheria Falls in the Distance
Going upstream, past the campsites lies Rancheria FallsCloser Look at the Falls
Photo Courtesy of CameronCameron Kicking Back at the Campsite Planning a Dayhike
Ken Relaxing after a Hard Time on the Trail
Golite Jam2 pack next to himJeremy Checking out a Route for a Dayhike
After Jeremy, Cameron, and Tony arrived at this campsite, Ken and Bob did not arrive at the campgrounds- despite only being a few minutes behind the main group on the trail. After some 15 or 20 minutes Cameron and Tony set off down the trail to find Ken and Bob. Finally asking a few hikers coming up the trail and along the trail if they had seen two backpackers, one with a bear canister strapped to the top of his pack. Fortunately, a group of backpackers resting on the side of the trail pointed us to a spot down below the trail towards the river. There we found Denis with his Tarptent Sublite setup and his camp made with Ken and Bob chatting with him. Despite our being the late comers, Denis graciously agreed to pack up all of his gear and move to our site.
Note: Unique External Frame Pack worn by Denis- The LuxuryLite. In Denis' own words, "The pack frame telescopes from 18" to 27.5". The height is adjustable while being worn, and is meant to be set to keep weight on the hips. You add cylinders in the sizes and number required for your load. The frame has the theoretical capacity for four cylinders. They range in size from the 703 cubic inch, size small, to the 1413 cubic inch, size large. This would give a theoretical total volume of 5652 cubic inches. I have enough of the, now discontinued, 1570 cubic inch, size extra large cylinders, that I may carry a volume of 6283 cubic inches. This with a pack weighing 38 ounces."
Denis also stated that he can not have any weight on his shoulders without it causing him debilitating pain, so he requires a pack that transfers 100% of the weight to his hips. One unique feature of the pack is that the frame detaches from the hip belts so that when taking a break, Denis can simply unhook and remove the frame and keep the hip belt on and then hook the frame back on to the hip later on with the hassle of removing and readjusting the hip belt.
After setting up camp and resting a bit, Jeremy, Cameron, and Tony headed off for a short day hike that was directly North of our campsite
Looking Back at the Mountains as We Climb Higher
Following the Leader
Destination Up There
Photo Courtesy of CameronJeremy Contemplating His Next Move
Going Straight Up the Boulders
Cameron Hugging the Granite
Notice on the top of Cameron's visor is a Photon like light held in place with a piece of velcroAcross the Jagged Field We Climb
Tony Working His Way Through the Rocks & Loving It
Cresting the Dome
Photo Courtesy of CameronLooking Around from the Top
Ironically, after shooting up our rocky trail, below us we could see the trail that leads from Lake Vernon to Rancheria Falls, which we took back to join the others
Jeremy Takes in the View
View from the Top
Cameron Looking Down at Where We Were
Cameron Walking Down
Bountiful Surprise at Camp
Left to Right: Jeremy, Ken, and Cameron
When Jeremy, Cameron, and Tony returned to camp we were greeted with Boxes of Cracker Jacks that Denis had brought for everyone. Cary and Lane has also arrived into camp while we were out and brought two six packs of beer and shrimp to BBQ on the fire. The last time I had Cracker Jacks was probaly in Junior High/Middle School.Bob's GoLite Ultra 20 Quilt and SMD Serenity Net Tent
Kicking Back on the Rocks
GoLite Jam2 Pack on the Left, Denis' White Sublite Tarptent, Ken's Virga Tarptent in the backgroundTarptent Sublite
Ken's Virga Tarptent
Pre-cursor to the Contrail TarptentKen's Pile of Gear
GoLite Jam2, Softside Nalgene Wide Mouth Bottle, and Bare Boxer Food Container suitable for weekend (1.6 lbs) and is smaller in size than the Solo Bear Vault.Link for Bare Boxer: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98893
Gathering of Gear Geeks
Left to Right: Denis in black shirt, Cary in green shirt, Jeremy in light blue shirt, and Bob in blue shirtCary & Jeremy Having a Brew and Snacks
Apparently, Cary and Lane did see our posting on BPL from the country store and decided to leave early on Saturday morning to come up to get a permit for Rancheria Falls Campsite. Glad that they made it.
Note: Next to Jeremy is a plastic water bottle with the Aquamira Frontier Pro water filter. White Sublite Tarptent with new Yellow Thermarest Neo Air mattress.Sagely Advice from Denis from the Rock of Wisdom
Offerings of Cracker Jacks and Beer in the foreground to the Wise OneWisemen: Denis & Bob. Or as Denis says of himself, "Wise-ass and bullshiter."
One great thing about this trip was the diversity of personalities, occupations, and age- all sharing a common love of the outdoors
Denis and Ken
Red MSR Dromadary Water Bag at Denis' FeetJeremy Cooking with Caldera Ti-Tri
The Unique things with this system is that it comes with the Gramcracker Ebsit Solid Fuel Stove, Alcohol Stove, and it can be use to cook with a wood fire. Notices the two Ti Tent Stakes that are used to elevate the cook pot higher to adjust for cooking over a flameTi-Tri in Action
Note: Infront of the Jam2 pack is the White Plastic Caddy for Storing the Caldera Ti-Tri Cone and Stove SystemBoiling Goodness
Denis Cooking on a Canister Stove
Cameron Cooking on an Alcohol Stove
What's Cameron Cooking?
Cary Cooking with an Evernew 1.3 L Ti Pot with insulated handles on Canister Stove
Denis and Bob both carry the Wild Ideas Bearikade Food Canisters
Denis would later use his stove to cook up a chocolate pudding dessert that he shared with everyone, using a boiling pot of water with a mug placed in it with the dessert- a double boiler???Denis Using a Pot Cozy to Keep his Food Warm or to Help Cook his Food
Photo Courtesy of CameronCloser View of Denis' Snow Peak Ti Bowl Windscreen
Photo Courtesy of DenisJeremy Boiling Water for his Boil in a Bag Meal while wearing his home made Camp Sandles
Note: To the Left of the Standing Water Bottles is a MSR Hyperflow Water Filter. Another view of the White Plastic Storage Caddy for the Caldera Cone Ti-Tri Stove in the foregroundTony's Sawyer In Line Gravity Filter
Platypus 4L Water Tank using Platypus 1.8 L Hoser Hydration System as a Clean Water Catch Bag by removing bite piece and connecting tubing directly to output end of Sawyer FilterClose up of Sawyer In Line Filter
*See My User Review on BPL Forum for more details on this system:Filling a Disposable Water Bottle for Extra Water
Dinner Time!
Jeremy Enjoying his Boil in a Bag Meal
Ken Feeling Better after the Hike in and Eating Up
Lane Dishing Out his Meal
Lane & Cary Building the Fire for the Night with Wood Collected by Tony
Dinner Time View
Bob's Caldera Cone, Pot Cozy, and Bearikade Food Storage Container
Cary & Lane's Fish & Shrimp BBQ
In addition to bringing two six packs of beer to share with the group, Cary & Lane actually brought two small metal BBQ grills from a Hibachi with shrimp to share with the groupCamp Fire Goodness
Upper Grill has sliced mushroomsKen Talking with Dave from Modesto, who found the BPL site by doing a Google Search for Photos of Lake Vernon and came across one of my other photo essays on BPL. (Ken is in the red jacket and Dave is wearing the black knit cap). He met Denis at the trail head and they traveled together for a short while before separating and then joining us in the evening time. He had originally planned on coming with friends of his, but they bailed out on him at the last moment and this was David's first solo trip.
Below are some photos that Denis took of David at the trail head:
View from Down Stream from Our Campsite
I went looking down stream to see if I could find any other missing BPLers who had missed our siteLuxury Trail Food
Lane Relaxing by the Fire
Tonight's Entertainer
Keep Cameron Away from his Flashlight, putting the spot light on unsuspecting campersEnjoying the Warm Glow
UL Burritos for Bears
Tony & Cameron Sleeping Out
Note: Cameron is Wear a Red Balaclava??? with his Quilt, he is using his shoes under a torso pad as a pillow
Photo Courtesy of DenisKen Sleeping in his Virga Tarpent
Photo Courtesy of DenisCameron Rise, Tony trying to ignore the Sunlight
Photo Courtesy of DenisHere Comes the Sun
Photo Courtesy of DenisGive Us this Day Our Daily Coffee!
(Or something like that to wake us up)
Photo Courtesy of DenisCameron Packing it Up
Morning Chatter
Cary Preparing for Breakfast
Ken Packing Up
Denis' Modular System
A Closer Look at the LuxuryLite External Frame Pack
The View Leaving Camp
Tony & Jeremy Left Camp First Shortly Followed by the OthersWater by the Last Bridge
Morning Color
Majestic Morning
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking Back on the Eastern End
The Group Heads Out
Cary in the Lead, David behind him, and Lane in White
Photo Courtesy of DenisSome Traditional Backpackers Along the Trail
Memories of Heavier Days PastRevisitng Wapama Falls
Tony
Draining into the Resevoir
By the Side of the Trail
The Flow of Water
Jeremy
Back at the Dam
Begining of the End
Photo Courtesy of DenisSpillway View
Photo Courtesy of Denis
The Whole Picture
Jeremy Settles for Tea over Beer
After we accidentally drove past a few Mexican Restaurants we wanted to eat at, we settled for a surprisingly good Chinese meal in OakdaleSpecial Thanks to Ken for arranging another successful BPLer's GGG and to Denis & Cameron for contributing their photos. Thank you for taking the time to view this long photo essay.
Other photo essays by Tony:
High Sierra trail to Mt. Whitney
Yosemite: Glacier Point to Red Peak Pass to Lake Merced
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