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Elevation: 3,825 ft
GPS: 37.9463, -119.78799
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 43,986 total · 312/month
Shared By: ElGreco on Aug 15, 2012
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. DetailsDrop down

Climbing Closures Suggest change

Description Suggest change

Hetch Hetchy Valley has been named the "other Yosemite Valley". Situated inside Yosemite National Park, the Hetch Hetchy Valley was described by John Muir as "one of natureÂ’s rarest and most precious mountain temples". Initially protected by the establishment of Yosemite National Park, in 1913 the city of San Francisco won congressional approval to build the OÂ’Shaughnessy dam on the Tuolumne River, which flowed along the valley floor. The dam buried the valley under 300 feet of water.

Today, the reservoir and dam dominate the character of Hetchy Hetchy Valley. Climbers seldom venture here, opting instead for the Mecca that is Yosemite Valley. Nonetheless, Hetch Hetchy is well worth a visit by you, your partner and your gear if you are looking for something different.

Hetch Hetchy offers a mix of climbs, from easy roadside topropes to long and hard aid routes on its tall walls. As you would expect from an area that has not had generations of climbers on its routes, the rock can be a tad dirty in places. Information does not abound on the routes. However, at Hetch Hetchy you will find a different face of Yosemite, solitude, adventure, fun climbs and a chance to leave the guidebook behind and put up new routes.

Last but not least, hopefully you will find inspiration among its sheer granite walls, and the opportunity to ponder the debate of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley first hand.

Getting There

Suggest change
From Hwy120, just outside the entrance to the Park at Hodgdon Meadow, turn onto Evergreen Road, following signs for Hetch Hetchy.

22 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Hetch Hetchy

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 9
Face, Ramp & Crack
TR
H3
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 4
Wandering Albatross
Trad, TR
H3
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Face, Ramp & Crack H3
 9
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
Wandering Albatross H3
 4
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, TR
More Classic Climbs in Hetch Hetchy »

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