Michael O'Shaughnessy, City Engineer for San Francisco and Chief Engineer on the Hetch Hetchy Project from 1912 to 1932, knew that one of his biggest construction problems would be getting materials, supplies and personnel to the remote damsite and construction camps. His solution? Build a railroad.
The Hetch Hetchy Railroad was the only railroad in the United States that was owned and operated by a municipality (the City and County of San Francisco) and also served as a common carrier – providing railroad services for the general public.
Despite the rugged terrain where one would expect to find a narrow gauge line, the Hetch Hetchy Railroad was built on standard gauge. This allowed cars to be loaded in the Bay Area, run on lines operated by other carriers, be transferred to the Sierra Railroad in Oakdale and finally to the City's own tracks at Hetch Hetchy Junction.
The Mountain Tunnel carries Hetch Hetchy drinking water from the Tuolumne River at Early Intake to Priest Reservoir. Construction was carried on at both ends of the tunnel, at the South Fork of the Tuolumne River (below Rainbow Pool) and from six ADITS and two SHAFTS. The adits approach the tunnel on a horizontal line while the shafts are sunk vertically. Groveland Community Services District pumps water directly from the Mountain Tunnel at the two shaft sites. Second Garrotte in the vicinity of the Twin Pines RV Park and the LDS Church on Old Hwy 120, and Big Creek Shaft on Big Creek Shaft Road.
The Rails-to-Trails Program proposes turning a section of the Hetch Hetchy Railroad into a pedestrian and horseman's trail. For more information about Rails to Trails, inquire at the U.S. Forest Service Groveland Ranger District.
Hetch Hetchy Junction is located west of County Road J59 in the vicinity of Old Don Pedro Road. It is not accessible without specific permission of the City and County of San Francisco and the private landowner whose property the access road crosses.
For more information about the Hetch Hetchy Railroad, see Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Railroad (formerly titled Hetch Hetchy and its Dam Railroad) by Ted Wurm, available in our gift shop.
