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HETCH-HETCHY-VERNON LAKE LOOP
By Backpacker Magazine
(This hike is 28.7 miles roundtrip)
TO TRAILHEAD: CA 120 E to Evergreen Rd.; turn L, follow signs to Mather and Hetch Hetchy Visitor Center. R @ Hetch Hetchy Rd. Continue to entrance station; park in backpacker overnight lot.
Point Name: YOS001: Cross O'Shaughnessy Dam; pass through Eleanor Tunnel Location: 37.94801°, -119.78830°
Point Name: YOS002: L @ Y; hike through shaded switchbacks; views to E of Le Conte Point and Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River Location: 37.95802°, -119.78460°
Point Name: YOS003: Stay R @ Y with Miguel Meadow Trail. Climb through pines; trail soon levels, winds through manzanita chaparral Location: 37.96281°, -119.79110°
Point Name: YOS004: R @ T; pass through meadows of vibrant yellow monkeyflowers. Location: 37.98859°, -119.78730°
Point Name: YOS005: 4-way with Laurel Lake Trail (1.3-mi. sidetrip). Stay R toward Vernon Lake and pass through Beehive Meadow Location: 37.99590°, -119.77670°
Point Name: YOS006: R @ Y with Moraine Ridge Trail. Begin Moraine Ridge ascent Location: 38.00320°, -119.75800°
Point Name: YOS007: Navigate carefully; for next .5 mi., trail turns faint on rocky slope Location: 38.00578°, -119.74910°
Point Name: YOS008: L @ T toward N end of lake and campsite Location: 38.01141°, -119.73250°
Point Name: YOS009: Superb lake campsite; rock slabs may make bearbagging difficult. Return to WPT #8, turn L to complete loop Location: 38.01610°, -119.72160°
Point Name: YOS010: Ascend more than 3 dozen grueling switchbacks into valley; head R off-trail about 75 ft. for wide-open views of Hetch Hetchy high country Location: 38.00745°, -119.72590°
Point Name: YOS011: R @ T near petal-shaped lake in Tilltill Valley Location: 37.97315°, -119.69010°
Point Name: YOS012: Trail heads S to base of steep bluffs. R @ T near Rancheria Falls campsite; spur trails lead to falls Location: 37.95676°, -119.71160°
Point Name: YOS013: Wapama Falls; relax on bridge and enjoy the cool, cascading mist. Location: 37.96355°, -119.76600°
Point Name: YOS014: Turn L @ Beehive Trail toward dam; return to car Location: 37.95791°, -119.78460°
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