Outdoor Adventure USA

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.


We didn't have to worry about high temperatures today.


Many of the puddles along the way were partly frozen.


Pack it in, pack it out. Some folks ignored this sign.


Looking north where the San Diego River and Ritchie Creek Canyon intersect.


The San Diego River valley starts to widen out.


People have died out here.


San Diego River.


Our destination. Cedar Creek Falls.






We had several crossings of Cedar Creek.


View of Mildred Falls on the way back up.






The trail head had turned into a parking lot by the time we got back.


Someone had a bad day...


San Diego's back country.

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?

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.

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

Great pics, John !!!

Some pics I took...

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.

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!

Great pics and report guys. Beautiful open country in Southern California, who knew.

John;

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

John and Ollie:

Great photos. You might have the POTM locked up.