YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA – Supporters of restoring one of Yosemite’s most famous lost landscapes will gather this spring for a day of hiking, conversation, and community in one of the most scenic corners of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park.
The nonprofit Restore Hetch Hetchy has announced its annual Spring Gathering on Saturday, May 2, 2026, inviting the public to experience the beauty of the reservoir area while learning about the organization’s latest efforts to restore the historic valley.
The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with participants meeting at the center of O’Shaughnessy Dam. From there, attendees are invited to join members of the organization’s board and staff for a five-mile round-trip hike to the dramatic cascades of Wapama Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Hetch Hetchy area. Those who prefer a different adventure are also welcome to explore other nearby trails.
Organizers encourage hikers to come prepared for shifting spring conditions in the Sierra Nevada with sturdy footwear, rain gear, snacks, and plenty of water.
The gathering will continue in the evening with a reception and dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Evergreen Lodge. During the dinner program, leaders from Restore Hetch Hetchy will share updates on current advocacy efforts and plans for the coming year. A suggested donation of $50 per person is requested for the evening reception and dinner, and attendees are asked to RSVP by April 24.
Renewing a Century-Old Debate
Restore Hetch Hetchy advocates for the eventual restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley, which was flooded in the early 20th century following construction of O’Shaughnessy Dam to provide water and hydroelectric power to San Francisco. The dam project was authorized by Congress in 1913 through the controversial Raker Act after a national debate over the future of the valley.
Before the dam, Hetch Hetchy was often compared to nearby Yosemite Valley for its towering granite walls, meadows, and waterfalls. Conservationists including John Muir famously opposed the flooding of the valley, calling it a loss for the nation’s natural heritage.
Restore Hetch Hetchy’s long-term vision is to eventually drain the reservoir and allow the valley to re-emerge as a restored natural landscape within Yosemite National Park. The organization promotes a plan that would maintain water reliability for the Bay Area while returning the valley to public enjoyment and ecological health.
Expanding the Effort
In addition to public outreach events like the Spring Gathering, Restore Hetch Hetchy says its work in 2026 will focus on several priorities, including enhancing advocacy, expanding public access and educational programming, establishing an Indigenous advisory group, and deepening partnerships with foundations and corporations.
The organization believes these efforts will help build broader support for the long-term goal of restoring the valley while protecting the natural resources of Yosemite.
For supporters and curious visitors alike, the annual gathering offers a chance to experience the Hetch Hetchy area during one of the Sierra’s most vibrant seasons.
“Step into nature for a walk — a refresh — a reminder of how vital the great outdoors is to everyone,” organizers wrote in their invitation.
More information about the event and the organization’s work can be found at the Restore Hetch Hetchy website.
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