cedar creek falls

I went to this location after finding it on the web and was surprised at the distance to the actual falls. Please be prepared at minimum to carry 1L worth of liquids on your person and more if you are unsure. It costs money to airlift people and no one appreciates paying for irresponsible hikers. This place is great, the "lagoon" where the falls are located are in a valley oasis and the hike down is very picturesque. One must obtain a permit before going, but the small amount for the payment processing fee is well worth it. If you are not a seasoned hiker it might be a good idea to go with one, while the hiking is not difficult, the heat is no joke and one can easily become dehydrated on this long walk. Well worth it and highly recommended.

This is a great 6 mile hike. The water is so delicious after the hike. During the dry season there is no water falling but it is still worth it if you are visiting SoCal. It is 1.5 hours from San Diego. Before not to exhaust yourself because the hike back up the mountain is a killer, especially the last mile. Bring lots of water and go early! I showed up at 9:30 but I would recommend even 8:30. Great place! Definitely going there again! Make sure to go online to buy a permit before going.

To get the West entrance, just put the following address into your GPS: Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead, 15519 Thornbush Rd. Ramona, CA 92065. There is a parking lot, water well, and a plumbing-less toilet.Go to recreation.gov to buy a visitor's permit to hike. It is only $6 for your group. However, nobody stopped us & asked us for the permit.The trail is very obvious; you won't need a map or anything. It is 6 miles round-trip.We went on a day that had record-breaking highs for San Diego. Big mistake. It was 95 degrees in the parking lot. I suffered from heat exhaustion hiking on the way back up, began shaking, & almost collapsed several times. My boyfriend & I brought 1 gallon of water to share. It wasn't enough.We heard a rattlesnake.

A VISITOR PERMIT IS NOW REQUIRED FOR CEDAR CREEK FALLS. The permit is not for parking, you must have a visitor permit to be at the falls. So bring your permit with you to the falls.The only place to get a permit is through recreation.com Also, THE PERMIT IS NOT THE ADVENTURE PASS. You must get the permit through recreation.gov, they will turn you around if you have an adventure pass or cite you if you are in permit area without a visitor permit. Law enforcement reguraly checks the falls to make sure everyone has a permit. I witnessed 3 people getting a citation for not having a permit. There is no jumping from the cliffs either as I witnessed two people recieve a citation for jumiping from the cliffs. This is no joke!! Also, they do not sell them at the trailhead or at the falls and it is a long drive and hike to get the falls and they will turn you around .25 miles from the falls if you don't have a permit or cite you if you are in the falls area. One final thing, don't bring your dog. This trail is especially bad for dogs no matter what condition you think your dog is in. Ranger said there are multiple dog deaths every year and people all say the same thing, "my dog is fine," until they are having to carry their dog out. Have Fun!!

I have never been there but my adult children LOVE to hike there!! It is BEAUTIFUL and a great hike for an EXPERIENCED Hiker

The (April) hike to Cedar Creek Falls was lined with wildflowers sprouting from the recent rains in March. I could have been happy just walking around to see the colorful variety, but the falls beckoned! The amazing sight has just opened again to visitors, although now you must have a permit. This is the perfect weather and water flow before it gets hot in June. There is a lot of water coming over the falls now; but there was less rain and snow this year, which will effect the amount of water as we approach summer. If there is rain before your trip, expect the creek below the falls to be higher, cold, and tricky to cross. But now you'll need to plan ahead for the opportunity. Access is now limited because of past overcrowding and injuries from jumping or falling from the cliffs. Only 75 permits ($6 each) for individuals and/or groups of up to five people are available each day, by reservation, online at www.recreation.gov. I always like mid-week, because there are fewer hikers; but with the new system, it remains to be seen what effect it will have. There are only 29 parking spots on the trailhead off of Thornbush Road. Cars blocking road and driveway access are towed at owner's expense. The cliffs surrounding the falls are closed to jumping and diving. Swimming is allowed. The trail to Cedar Creek Falls is not for beginners. It's a 5 1/2 mile hike... with no shade from the sun. Returning is harder, as it's mostly uphill. Taking at least a gallon of drinking water is recommended. Good walking footwear is a must. Leave your dog at home. This trail is not easy on the paws because of sharp rocks and it can get very hot. This area is remote.Right now, the pool at the bottom of the falls is clear, and cold! The granite boulders on the edges are a great "warm-up" spot, and the tall trees can give a lot of shade.

If you're here for the hike, you might want to look elsewhere - there are literally thousands of better places to hike. If you are here for the waterfall - well, you may enjoy this easy touristy walk. But it's difficult to know when is the best time to see it in full flow - when I went in Early March, it was more than a trickle, but hardly a torrent.Despite what others have said, if you are anything of a hiker, this will not be a challenge to you. A well trodden path, with an gentle grade takes you down the side of a valley to a picturesque, but unremarkable waterfall - it really doesn't look any better in real life than in the pictures.The way down is easy walking, there is little risk: no exposure to falls and no trip hazards. in fact, the most difficult part of the whole thing is the 2/3 foot scramble onto the rocks that you'll need to do if you want to dip your feet in the water hole beneath the falls themselves. The way back up is more of the same, but you're going against the gradient. But it is never steep, and slow and steady will see walkers of all fitness make it back to the top.The Ramona side of the hike is currently closed after a fatality in 2011. On the Julian side, there's not much car parking at the trailhead. There is a pull out on the left at the brow of the hill, and a few spaces right at the trail head. The swimming hole is not particularly clean, and there is some litter. When I got there, on an unseasonably warm early March day there were maybe 25 sullen teenagers already down there, lounging on the rocks and not of a mind to make way for anyone else, or to move out of the way for you to take photos. if I were to do it again, I'd set out at dawn (or even before, this would be a simply walk with a head torch) and beat the crowds.It took me 1hr 20mins to get down and back, including maybe 10 minutes at the falls. I took a bottle of local apple juice with me, but by the time I got back to the car, I was ready for another drink. In summer - there is some risk of dehydration for less fit walkers who spend longer in the canyon, so if you are going down - be sure to take plenty of liquid, and some head cover.

visited the waterfall first when it was wet season. The waterfall was really wide and powerful, getting over to the other bank was challenging. With dry season it was funny, high rockwall with a really narrow waterfall. But still worth visiting when near Airlie Beach. Have a picnic or take a hike to the top of waterfall.

The Julian access side of the falls has reopened, BUT the Ramona (West side) access remains closed. The Sheriff patrols the area, including by helicopter. There as so far no changes after the closing caused by the fatal fall of a teen. US Forest Service says they are considering a permit system limiting visitors. As far as the waterflow over the falls goes, it was a very low rainfall season, and unless that changes there will be little water flowing, and the pool at the botom of the falls will tend to stagnate, Right now I look forward to improvements that will not only make it safer for visitors, but also protect this one-of-a-kind gem that I first visited 50 years ago.

The Forest Service is proposing a number of actions to manage recreation at Cedar Creek Falls and in the surrounding area. These actions include requiring a visitor permit to visit the falls, developing unpaved parking at the junction of Eagle Peak and Cedar Creek roads, and constructing a trail connection between this junction and the southernmost Eagle Peak Preserve property. YOU have the right to provide input to the Forest Service under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Visit the Cleveland National Forest website to learn more about the proposal and how to get involved: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=37332

A 16 year-old boy died this July in a fall at the Cedar Creek Falls (sometimes mistakenly called Devil's Punchbowl); the San Diego County Sheriffs and U.S. Forest Service have blocked access trails, including patrols and threatened arrest of anyone found in the area. Helicopters are patrolling the area also. The San Diego "East County News" has info on all of this, or just Google.

A real Gem of a hike in North County San Diego. Spring time is the best time to take on this trail If you don't mind getting a little wet with a few shallow stream crossing.The hike trail starts at a water tower near the end of a residential neighborhood. Parking is oddly situated street side of the neighboring homes. The first 2 mile of trail is on a well maintained downward switchbacks. good hiking shoes or running shoes will work here, but you will prefer flip flops or Teva like shoes for the stream crossings. The actual falls and pool are tucked away behind Trees, brush and rock and once you get there it really is breathtaking. a very unique gem of a place for a desert like San Diego. this place can get crowed. I suggest getting an early start, 8am to beat the day hikers and possible heat. (not much shade- sun screen, hat a must) the water will form a pool surrounded by large boulders. Fun to climb but can be slick and troublesome for younger children. There is also a back door trail, about another mile, that will lead you to the top of the falls perched about 60 feet above the pool below. The rocks near the water are extremely slippery, so be careful! Yes the water is cold, but it's very refreshing once you hike down. Everyone will want to reward themselves with at least a waist deep dip.Unlike most mountain hikes where the trail eases you down as you tire, this trail marches you back up to the high point. Be sure to pack plenty of water, electrolytes, sunscreen and snacks.

This is a beautiful hike in the spring. The falls dry up by midsummer. There's no shade at all and can be a dangerous hike on a hot day.When I went in April 2011 the falls were the biggest I've ever seen them. It's fun to swim in the pool beneath the falls. There's a rope that you can use to swing into the water.There are 2 routes down to the falls. One is near Julian and the other is closer to Ramona. The Julian route has a 9 mile dirt road going to it. The Ramona route has a bathroom in the lot and is a little shorter. However, it is a much steeper hike. Cedar Falls Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or4pjgIZTTs

Hiked to the falls from the Ramona side on Saturday 3/26. Great trip - the falls are roaring with all the rain we've had recently. The creek was real high, wading in over knee-deep (chilly!). One important thing to note... a NEW TRAIL has been plowed down from the Ramona side (seems like just this month). It's about 75% done, they haven't plowed it all. The new trail is a much wider and more of a gradual incline. The downside to the new trail is that it makes this a much more accessible trail, which will likely bring more folks.

My Mother's Day wish yesterday was to do a beautiful hike with my husband and two teenagers, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I was definitely not disappointed with this hike. I think I might rank it as one of my favorites in San Diego along with Iron Mountain. It took us about 1 hr and 20 minutes to reach the trailhead from North San Diego County (Vista). The last 8 miles are on a well groomed dirt road but still a bit bumpy so i would recommend taking a truck or SUV. This hike is unique because you start the hike walking down into the gorge and finish the hike by walking back up to the mountain. For this reason, I would not recommend taking very young children or elderly folks that are not accustomed to long walks uphill. THE HIKE:Start hiking down the right side of the mountain. You will eventually come to two forks in the trail. It is about two miles to get to the FIRST fork in the road. Take a RIGHT. A while later you will get to the SECOND fork and you will take a LEFT. Then you will cross two creeks (watch out for rattlesnakes - we saw one!) and you will hear the falls......keep walking and you will be amazed at the beauty of the falls and the pool (Devils Punch Bowl). It seemed like a private oasis. Absolutely lovely and seemingly out of place in the San Diego desert. The longer we stayed however, the more people showed up. We arrived at the falls about 11:00am or so and there were only a couple of other people there. By the time we left at around noon it was packed. SO...I would recommend starting early - maybe 8 or 9 in the morning to have the most peace. Plan to stay awhile. It is breathtaking!The hike down was filled with beautiful native plants and flowers. Surprisingly everything was still green...but not for long I'm sure! I'd go before June before all of the grass is dried out and the water falls are dried up! The hike back up is completely in the sun, so it could get really really hot. We lucked out with a very temperate day. There are no bathroom facilities so be prepared and also bring LOTS of water.JUST DO IT! And finish the day with a piece of famous Julian pie in town!