Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor are located in the northwest corner of the park away from the main traffic route, and they receive little use in comparison with Yosemite Valley. Both reservoirs are part of the San Francisco water and power-production system.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir at O'Shaughnessy Dam is a popular destination for visitors, who spend a short time viewing the dam and the Yosemite Valley-like walls and the falls above the reservoir and taking brief walks along them shore. Backcountry hikers frequently use this area as an entry or exit point. The Hetch Hetchy shore has little suitable land for development because it is steep. Since the lake is a domestic water supply, the city of San Francisco restricts its use for water recreation and also restricts use of adjoining lands.

The gently sloping land along Lake Eleanor's northwest and southeast shore is particularly suitable for backcountry use. It is approximately 4 miles from the road terminus and provides easy access to the backcountry for families and novice hikers. The lake only provides water for power production, so restrictions on public use are much less stringent than those at Hetch Hetchy. Visitors to Lake Eleanor also use Cherry Lake, which is located on nearby U.S. Forest Service land.

Hetch Hetchy

Mather Station

Aspen Valley