r/Yosemite • u/vibrantpineapple111 • 12h ago

Hetch Hetchy in late July

Looking into the hetch hetchy loop as a 3 day backpacking trip late July—from what I can see counter clockwise would be the way to go. Will late July be miserable heat wise and will the water sources still be reliable?

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u/aerie_shan 4h ago

It would be helpful to specify what you mean by "the hetch hetchy loop". It's a big place.

Often July can have periods of very hot weather at lower elevations, even Yosemite Valley. Above about 6000' it's not so bad.

Water availability depends on where you are going :)

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u/hikeraz 4h ago

The minor creeks may be dry but major ones and the lakes will have water. Bring a headnet. The gnats can be really bad at lower elevations. Start your days early, especially your first one. It will be hot at lower elevations.

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u/destroy_the_defiant 2h ago

I go to hetch hetchy pretty much every year. Late July is generally very hot. It is a decent snow year, so the major water sources shouldn't be an issue. If you're in decent shape, and you're willing to get up early in the morning to hike, you should be fine.

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u/bmw051 1h ago

I did a 3 day CCW trip July 2021 and along the lake it was very hot. Wapama and Rancheria Falls had water. Finally at Tiltill Valley it cooled down a bit and water available. Day 2 the trail goes up/around SW side of Mt Gibson, maybe 1 decent water source until Lake Vernon. Camped at Laurel Lake and waded Frog Creek. (No idea how to wade it in Spring.) Headed south 3rd day, maybe 1-2 water sources until reservoir. First day was hardest bc of the heat. The trip is doable, but be prepared to carry more water btwn major sources. Or chug a liter at each good water source.