Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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It is prime hiking season in Yosemite! And while most people only hike to the Yosemite Valley waterfalls, the Hetch Hetchy side of Yosemite National Park is truly underrated. In this adventure, we hike past the famous Wapama Falls and continue deep into Yosemite’s hidden wilderness to reach the roaring Rancheria Falls — and somehow have it completely to ourselves.

This lesser-known Yosemite hike has everything: massive waterfalls, granite cliffs, reservoir views, wild spring runoff, and far fewer crowds than Yosemite Valley. If you’re looking for hidden gems in Yosemite National Park, the Rancheria Falls trail in Hetch Hetchy is one of the best hikes in California.

📍 Trail: Rancheria Falls via Hetch Hetchy
🥾 Distance: ~13-14 miles round trip
🌊 Highlights: Wapama Falls, Rancheria Falls, hidden Yosemite views, no crowds

If you love hiking, waterfalls, backpacking, national parks, adventure travel, and hidden trails, we got you covered!

#Yosemite #RancheriaFalls #HetchHetchy #WaterfallHike #CaliforniaHiking