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JOURNAL

Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite’s Secret Treasure

A scenic view of mountains and forest amidst sky and fog

Yosemite National Park is roughly divided into 5 areas (Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy, Wawona and Glacier Point).  The Hetch Hetchy area is in the northwestern part of Yosemite and has its own entrance gate.  Because it’s a bit off the beaten path, this rich area is often missed by first time visitors to Yosemite.  Visitors who discover Hetch Hetchy are treated to amazing views and American history all in one place.  In the early 1870 John Muir called the Hetch Hetchy valley “a wonderfully exact counterpart of the great Yosemite.”  Despite Muir’s attempts to preserve its natural beauty, Hetch Hetchy’s commercial value won out and in 1913 Congress passed the Raker Act authorizing the construction of the O’Shaughnessy Dam in Hetch Hetchy Valley as well as another dam at Lake Eleanor.   Today the 117-billion-gallon Hetch Hetchy reservoir supplies drinking water to 2.4 million Bay Area residents.  It also supplies hydro-electric power generated by two plants downstream.

Hetch Hetchy offers one of Yosemite National Park’s longest hiking seasons because it is lower than much of the rest of Yosemite.  From gentle, scenic paths to challenging treks, Hetch Hetchy offers a hike for everyone.

In spring, visitors can see two of America’s tallest waterfalls (Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls) crashing to the rocks at their bases.  From spring through late fall, visitors have easy access to a vast wilderness filled with lakes, streams, flowers and wildlife.  Because Hetch Hetchy is a less well-known area of Yosemite, it is less crowded in the summer when crowds fill the Yosemite Valley.  Even in winter, adventurous visitors can explore on skis or snowshoes.

The Hetch Hetchy Valley has been inhabited for more than 6,000 years.  The Miwok people were living there when the first Euro-Americans came looking for gold and a place to graze livestock. The valley’s name is believed to be derived from the Miwok word, hatchhatchie, which means “edible grasses.”

Swimming and boating are prohibited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in order to maintain a clean source of drinking water. Dogs and other pets are prohibited on all trails and on the dam. Wild animals are threatened by domestic animals in their territory and may endanger your pets. Dogs are allowed in the parking area but must be leashed at all times.

Fishing – The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir also offers year-round fishing.  A valid California fishing license is required. Daily bag limit is five per day and ten in possession.

You will not be sorry you took the time to explore Hetch Hetchy.

The Groveland 18767 Main Street circle logo

Winter Menu

Appetizers – $15

~Fried Brussels Sprout with Sriracha Sauce

~House Made Focaccia with Marinara

~Phyllo Wrapped Baked Brie with House Focaccia

~Steak Bites with Smoked Gouda and Blue Cheese – 

Cream Sauce

 

Salads – $15

Cesar Salad – romaine, arugula, croutons, fresh cesar dressing
*add 4oz Chicken, Ribeye, Salmon, Shrimp + $10 
Roasted Pear Salad with Thyme Verjus Dressing – romaine, arugula, pears, blue cheese and pecans *add 4oz chicken, ribeye, salmon, shrimp + $10

Mains

~Pot Roast $35

Beer braised slow roasted beef, served with roast baby potatoes, onions, brussel sprouts and carrots

~Kobe Meatloaf $35

Meatloaf served over confit garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and house Au Jus

~Homemade Pot Pie $25

Yes, the famous dish from our childhoods! Peppers, carrots, squash, mushrooms, onions and peas in a rich cream sauce. *add 4oz chicken, lamb, braised beef +$10

~Shepherd’s Pie $25

Peppers, onions, squash, mushrooms, peas and carrots in a savory house broth covered in mashed potatoes and smoked gouda cheese, broiled to a bubbly crispy brown

*add 4oz chicken, lamb or braised beef +$10

~Portobello Steak $25

Served with sauteed mushrooms, compound butter, smashed baby red potatoes, seasonal vegetables

*add 8oz chicken, ribeye, salmon +$20

~Mushroom Stroganoff $25

Portobello and button mushrooms sauteed with aromatics in sour cream over butter noodles

*add 4oz chicken, ribeye, salmon, shrimp +$10

~Fettuccini Alfredo $25

Fresh fettuccine and house alfredo sauce served with fresh focaccia

*add 4oz chicken, ribeye, salmon, shrimp +$10 seasonal vegetables +$5

~Spaghetti and Meatballs $25

Handmade meatballs made 50/50 with sausage and ground kobe beef cooked in house marinara, served with house focaccia

Dessert $15

 

Seasonal Fruit Cobbler

Black Forest Brownie

Chef’s Suggestion – Ala Mode +$5 

ADA

Room 110 is situated at the back of the hotel in the Annex building on the lower floor.  This cozy room features a queen bed, with a large private bathroom containing a tub/shower.  This room accommodates two guests. This is a pet-friendly room.

Accessibility Features: Entry door is 32” wide; there is an outlet within 4’ of the telephone jack; the door lock is located 44” from the floor; there is more than 36” of room to the right side of the bed; hangers are located 53” off the ground.  Currently, the door handle is a historic twist knob, but we are working with our locksmith to replace this with a levered handle that can easily be operated with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching or twisting the wrist.

The bathroom has room to do a t-turn; the toilet seat is 18” off the ground and has a grab bar located behind the toilet; the wash basin is 30” off the ground with insulated pipes; the wash basin faucet is easy to operate with one hand without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist; the towel racks are 46” off the floor; the bathroom floors are slip resistant.  There are no grab bars on an adjacent wall in the bathroom for the toilet as there is not an adjacent wall to place them on. 

The tub has faucet controls positioned at the center of the end wall and open side of the tub; faucet can easily be turned on and off with one hand without tight grasping, pinching or twisting the wrist; there is a grab bar at the foot of the tub and at the head of the tub; and there are two 40” grab bars alongside the tub to serve for low and high needs.  The fixtures in the bathtub are historic and therefore we do not have a 60” hand held shower wand.

Due to the historic nature of our property, our rooms are fairly small, therefore we are unable to provide 36” around both sides and the foot of the bed.  However, we do provide full clearance between the door and the right side of the bed.

You can book this room online or please call us 24 hours/7 days a week at 209-962-4000 or email us at guestservices@groveland.com and we would be happy to find the room that most meets your needs.  

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Pet Friendly

Your search for pet-friendly vacation lodging near Yosemite National Park ends here.  Our four-legged guests love the Groveland Hotel as much as our two-legged ones!  We’re happy to offer select pet-friendly rooms, located on the first floor, for your stay in Groveland, California.  The pet fee is $75 per reservation, with a limit of one pet per guest.  We welcome pets 60 lbs or less.

For dog-friendly activities near the Groveland Hotel, we recommend a walk along the Hetch Hetchy Railroad or going for a refreshing dip in the pet-friendly Rainbow Pools swimming hole.  If you are heading into Yosemite National Park, check their website for pet rules and restrictions.

Looking for a local dog sitter/boarder where you can keep your dogs for the day while exploring Yosemite?  There is a great nearby facility called Big Creek Boarding.
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