Cedar Creek Falls

Unfortunately, while headed for the trail head I missed the first turn and we ended up at another trailhead which was marked Cedar Creek. I knew this was not the place we started before but thought a new way to Cedar Creek would be interesting (mistake). I did find out that this trailhead was the place to start for the Three Sister's hike which I would like to do some time in the near future (If I can remember the way there!)

After walking for a rather long distance down hill, we came to a turn in the road and could see almost a mile away on another ridge the real starting point for the Cedar Creek Falls. It is really distinctive. You can't miss it once you have seen it.

So part of the group took off for the REAL trailhead on the next ridge MikeS with the two girls (8 & 9?) decided to return to the cars but have a picnic in a grove of trees on the way back. Colleen who had not planned on a long hike decided to go with them and help with the girls. I also decided to return to the cars, and then drive to the true trailhead so that we would have a vehicle available for a bunch of tired hikers. From there on there were a few missunderstanding and I ended up at my truck first. After waiting 20 minutes I decided to take off for the 1st trailhead (just a mile over to the next ridge). Yep, just a mile! I drove 20 miles to get to the correct trail head.

Upon arriving there only two of our group were there with one who was somewhat ill and another one who was hiking around with his new GPS. So, I took off for the Falls. As I got closer to the Falls I decided that I would hike up over the ridge to my left and look for a Geocache which was in the area. I was able to get to within less than 1,000 feet of it when I heard Al W6GNI on 147.555 saying that the group at the Falls was leaving and headed back. I guess I will have to visit the area again if I want to find the Geoocache and the Falls.

When the main group was at the Falls, they found a note from Karen and her friend who had hiked over from the Ramona area so it looks like we finally ended up with 6 that made it to the Falls and one who made it up to the top of Cedar Creek.

We loaded 7 slap happy hikers into my truck and we drove back to the wrong trail head thinking that our troubles were over. We were entertain with stories by the Reflector's Official Story Teller, Glenn. Well, for most of us, we were home free but Helene had her problems getting home. See note at end.

Stan,

Yes, Nance and I had fun. Nance said she is real proud of herself because she had never hiked 8 1/2 miles before. Of course she's still hobbling around at school (we both go to Cal State San Marcos) but the Epsom salt baths are helping. I enjoyed the hike because it was easy and I got more of a workout since it was 8 1/2 miles instead of only 4 1/2. It was a perfect day for a hike, cloudy in the afternoon on our way back uphill.

Robin

Hi Stan-

I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of the gang. My saga continued after I left you guys. I made a wrong turn somehow and ended up on Engineers Road. It started getting dark, foggy and my gas light came on. I ended up at Lake Cuyamaca and the gas station was closed.

They told me the closest gas was 9 miles away in Julian. So back I went, keeping my fingers crossed the whole way that I wouldn't run out of gas. Fortunately, I made it to the Julian gas station before they closed and filled up.

Then I had a long ride back to Vista on the dark, foggy, rainy road. Got home about 7:15 and was in bed exhausted by 8:30. Quite the adventure! I learned my lesson-I will never leave the house without a full tank when going on a hike in unknown territory. I could've ended up spending the night at the side of a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and freezing my butt off. But it all worked out in the end.

Let me know when the next hike is.

Best regards,

Helene