Читать книгу 50 Best Short Hikes: Yosemite National Park and Vicinity - Elizabeth Wenk - Страница 12

HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR

Regional Overview

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is a symbol of the exploitation of a national park landmark, as well as an aspiration that the construction of the O’Shaughnessy Dam was the last time that one of our national treasures is so compromised. Sad as I am not to see Hetch Hetchy Valley as John Muir once did, this is still a location to visit. The bottom 312 feet of the valley are hidden, but the impressive granite walls rise an additional 2,000 feet, and the enormous body of dark-blue water provides a picturesque foreground. If you have never visited Hetch Hetchy, I strongly encourage you to take the walk to Wapama Falls (Hike 3).

The Hetch Hetchy region has a quite different atmosphere from the rest of Yosemite. There is the wonderful feel of continuous granite slabs and domes that dominates northern Yosemite, just with shorter summits; granite outcrops interspersed with drought-tolerant trees and shrubs are everywhere.

The three walks in this section are best done fall through spring, as they are all at low elevation and summer temperatures are sizzling. Lookout Point (Hike 1) is the easiest walk here for younger children, for Poopenaut Valley (Hike 2) includes a steep climb, and Wapama Falls (Hike 3) is a bit long. However, an energetic 8-year-old child would thoroughly enjoy Wapama Falls. Poopenaut Valley is a scenic location and reaching it is a lovely walk, but it is tough, so head there only if your knees and legs request a workout.