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2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

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BorregoWrangler
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2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by BorregoWrangler » Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:02 pm

Hike to Cedar Creek Falls

With this season's repeated downpours, San Diego County's big waterfalls have been putting on a show. Big, in this neck of the woods, means a hundred feet or so. One of the easiest and accessible to casual hikers is Cedar Creek Falls. Another, called Mildred Falls, can be seen on the way to Cedar Creek. On Saturday, January 1st 2011, Ollie, Ralphie, Willie and I headed out towards Julian to hike out to Cedar Creek Falls.

Cedar Creek Falls plunges about 90ft into a large swimming hole surrounded by rock walls. It's one of the more popular hikes in this part of California, which is perhaps more known for its hot and dry climate than its waterfalls. While this is indeed an impressive waterfall, it can have a short life depending upon the amount of rain/snow fall during the winter. Starting out from the trail head at the end of Eagel Peak Road we had great views looking north up Ritchie Creek Canyon to see Mildred Falls, arguably San Diego County's highest at more than 100 feet.

Cedar Creek had quite a bit of water flowing and we had the whole area to ourselves, as we had arrived at the trail head a bit before 8am. By the time we had started back, a number of other people started showing up so it looked like we beat the crowds. During the spring a early summer its not uncommon to see well over 50 people hanging around the pool at the base of the falls. This 4.5 mile round trip hike usually takes about 2 1/2 hours, not counting the time spent taking in all the overwhelming natural beauty at the falls.



Looking out at Mildred Falls from the trail head.
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We didn't have to worry about high temperatures today.
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Many of the puddles along the way were partly frozen.
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Pack it in, pack it out. Some folks ignored this sign.
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Looking north where the San Diego River and Ritchie Creek Canyon intersect.
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The San Diego River valley starts to widen out.
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People have died out here.
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San Diego River.
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Our destination. Cedar Creek Falls.
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We had several crossings of Cedar Creek.
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View of Mildred Falls on the way back up.
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The trail head had turned into a parking lot by the time we got back.
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Someone had a bad day...
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San Diego's back country.
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-John Graham
1989 YJ & 2000 TJ

View all my trip reports here at my blog: GrahamCrackers

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SD07NISMO
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by SD07NISMO » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:14 pm

Looks like you guys had a great trip. I headed out there last spring when both Mildred and Cedar Creek falls were flowing pretty good, it was beautiful. I'd love to get out to Three Sisters sometime also, haven't been there yet. Did you notice if the gate to Cedar Creek Rd was open yet?
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by OLLIE » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:55 pm

SD07NISMO wrote:Looks like you guys had a great trip. I headed out there last spring when both Mildred and Cedar Creek falls were flowing pretty good, it was beautiful. I'd love to get out to Three Sisters sometime also, haven't been there yet. Did you notice if the gate to Cedar Creek Rd was open yet?
So far, the Three Sisters are the most impressive of the San Diego waterfalls to me. This trip was an awesome trip and the falls were amazing. I canonly imagine what the Sisters look like right now. It greatly disappoints me to see how unprepared people are when taking these hikes. I would say that more than 80% of the people we say heading to the falls had no drinking water and no food. It's no wonder there are so many rescues each year. All gates are still closed.

I just finished processing my pictures. I will post them shortly.
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by cruiserlarry » Sun Jan 02, 2011 5:26 pm

I just sorry I'm not closer....looks like a great hike to take, and seeing the falls in person must be awe-inspiring :shock:

Great pics, John !!!
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by OLLIE » Sun Jan 02, 2011 6:00 pm

Some pics I took...
Mildred Falls across the ice.
Mildred Falls across the ice.
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Mildred Falls across the ice 2.
Mildred Falls across the ice 2.
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A shot down the valley.
A shot down the valley.
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The San Diego river.
The San Diego river.
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John practicing his walking on water routine.
John practicing his walking on water routine.
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Cedar Creek Falls
Cedar Creek Falls
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Willie and John enjoying the view.
Willie and John enjoying the view.
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A shot of the upper part of Cedar Creek Falls.
A shot of the upper part of Cedar Creek Falls.
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Willie trying not to get wet.
Willie trying not to get wet.
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A Sheriff's chopper kept buzzing the canyon. Wonder what they were looking for?
A Sheriff's chopper kept buzzing the canyon. Wonder what they were looking for?
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Mildred Falls in the distance.
Mildred Falls in the distance.
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Mildred Falls a little closer.
Mildred Falls a little closer.
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Some falls that we saw on the drive home. The rains have caused falls to pop up in places you normally won't see them.
Some falls that we saw on the drive home. The rains have caused falls to pop up in places you normally won't see them.
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A cool windmill we saw on Boulder Creek Road.
A cool windmill we saw on Boulder Creek Road.
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"OLLIE"
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by ralphie » Sun Jan 02, 2011 6:20 pm

Awsome! pics guys, I should have brought my camera instead of my phone, It was a fun hike, we need to do the three sisters next! and soon before the water dries up.
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by BorregoWrangler » Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:11 am

Great pictures you got there, Ollie!
ralphie wrote:Awsome! pics guys, I should have brought my camera instead of my phone, It was a fun hike, we need to do the three sisters next! and soon before the water dries up.
Three Sisters is awesome! There's usually more water flowing there year-round than there is in Cedar Creek, so we could go when it gets warmer out and slide down the middle fall into the pool. Besides, I'm trying to drop a few pounds before I do that one again. The one 500ft near-vertical climb on the way out almost killed me! :oops:
-John Graham
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by gon2srf » Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:48 am

Great pics and report guys. Beautiful open country in Southern California, who knew. :lol:
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Re: 2011-01-01: Hike to Cedar Creek Falls trip report

Post by DaveK » Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:42 pm

John;

As always, great trip report. Almost as good as being there!!

John and Ollie:

Great photos. You might have the POTM locked up.
DaveK
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