Campo Velo -- Groveland/Yosemite 2005
 

With abundant snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains this winter, the mission of the June Campo Velo was to check out the rivers and waterfalls in Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy Valleys. The major waterfalls in Yosemite Valley were receiving national media coverage, so this only heightened our expectations to see the waterfalls at full force and power. We were not disappointed.

The base camp was the Yosemite Pines RV Park in Groveland, about 25 miles west of the Park on Highway 120. This was an ideal location to visit Hetch Hetchy Valley which we did twice, once by bicycle and another day to hike the trails. The third day we drove into Yosemite Valley and spent the day gawking at all the waterfalls rimming the canyon walls and compeleting a six-mile hike up to Vernal and Nevada Falls.

The big unexpected bonus was the glorious display of wildflowers seen on the ride and hike to Hetch Hetchy. The road and trails were lined with brilliant colors of plants and wildflowers in full spring glory. Page 4 is devoted to many of the wildflowers found on this trip.
 
First a walking tour of historic Groveland, a quaint 19th century Gold Rush-era town. This is the restored Groveland Hotel. Highway 120 bisects historic Groveland
 
Murals depicting early Tuolumne County history
 
Inside the old Iron Door Saloon, a lively hotspot for locals and tourists. Note the old photos below the mounted animals. I tried to match some of the early photos with current photos (see below).
 
Photo of early 20th century Groveland Main Street today. Looks like not much has changed. Even Hotel Charlotte exists today.
 
Hetch Hetchy Valley before the dam Hetch Hetchy Valley as it looks today
 
Wapama Falls before the dam Wapama Falls as it looks today
 
A field of wildflowers across the road from our campground -- white lupine, common tarwood, blue dicks
 
On the ride from Groveland to Hetch Hetchy, a 66-mile roundtripper. Dick and Geno stop at the "Rim of the World" vista point on Hwy 120 and view a valley below Cherry Lake Road.
 
Taking the high road via Cherry Lake and Mather Roads to Hetch Hetchy
 
Geno taking a break and munching on Costco brownies amidst a field of harlequin and blue lupines Eric taking a photo of a profuse deer brush
 
Stopping to take in the view of Tuolumne River canyon with the river 2,000 feet below Start of a 5-mile descent to Hetch Hetchy
 
Views of Tuolumne river canyon from Hetch Hetchy Road
 
First view of O'Shaughnessy Dam from the summit with Tueeulala Falls tumbling from canyon rim
 
The "infamous" O'Shaughnessy Dam
 
Enjoying the breathtaking views from the dam Tueeulala Falls on the left and
Wapama Falls on the right
 
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