"Hetch Hetchy is a grand landscape garden, one of nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life . . . while birds, bees, and butterflies help the river and waterfalls to stir all the air into music. . . . These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar. . . . Dam Hetch Hetchy! As well dam for water-tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man." John Muir, "The Yosemite," Century, 1912, pp. 249-62.
What and awesome day with great friends, it was perfect. We saw a mama bear and her two cubs. Life doesn't get any better than this. She was so mellow and just hung out eating why the cubs ran around they were so curious about everything and such a joy to watch. I have never had a mama bear just hangout and be so calm. It was the third encounter I have have with a mama and cubs. First time she was very protective and I had to go way out of my way to go around since she seemed like she might charge at me if I came any closer. The second time they all ran away. So I felt lucky today ;-) 
We were lucky that the weather was nice pretty much just right overcast and 60 ;-) we just did a day trip since snow was on it's way and the weather was going to get ugly.
I was surprised to see so many hikers and backpackers in the area, most of the time it's not to busy. There was a trail crew working on a rock fall near Wapama bridge. There are tons of trees down heading to TillTill valley. Also the food bridge is closed on the south trail that heads towards Yosemite. We ended up doing a couple out and backs before we heading for our final back to where we started.
I love this area and if you are ever heading to Yosemite make a stop by Hetch Hetchy it really is the hidden gem of Yosemite.
It's taper time I will be running San Diego 100 next weekend it's gonna be fun. Andy will be going for finish #8 and I will be going for finish #7 wish us luck.Poor Rocky got sprayed by a skunk a couple nights ago that was no fun ;-(
3 comments:
I was in Yosemite this weekend. Somehow I keep forgetting about Hetch Hetchy and it is such a wonderful place.
It is good to "see" you on JMT forum. Maybe I'll bump to you on the trail this year.
Good luck in San Diego
Hey EWA- HH is so awesome closer drive and not all the tourons to deal with. The trails are awesome there is a 46 miles loop I want to do out there I go I usually do the 30 mile loop out to TillTill valley and around. there were so many downed trees. The rangers and trail crews haven't even been on the loop. We decided to head back since the bog was so wet and muddy we ended up doing around 20 miles. Where did you go?? The weather was fine Friday but it must of rained on you that night and yesterday. I do a lot of trips to the Valley and HH in the Summer it's great to have an awesome place to train. I am sure we will meet ;-) on the trail ;-)
Rocky,
I am so sorry. I hope the skunk was worth it.
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