Cleveland National Forest - Cedar Creek Falls Hike - Pic Heavy

[JCavSD]

Took off for a random hike this Saturday to Cedar Creek Falls in the Cleveland National Forest, and really lucked out. It’s a 4.5 mile out-and-back with a 1,200’ elevation change near the town of Julian (known for apple pie). For the most part it’s down on the way out to the falls and up on the way back.

We had a wet winter (for SoCal), and over the last two months there have been intermittent weeks of warm sunshine and rain. Everything is growing and blooming and wildlife is out in force. Never saw so many lizards in my life…mostly some sort of blue belly variant that I’m not familiar with. Also saw more than a few alligator lizards…also of a color and shape not consistent with what I’m familiar with. Unfortunately, I spent so much time trying to catch them I didn’t get any pics. Saw a very healthy and unusually surly gopher snake that I wasn’t allowed to catch (next time I hike alone!). Sun, lizards, snakes, birds, bugs, warm water, and pie…and a nap…if you get a chance don’t hesitate to take this hike.

Map

Beautiful sunny day

Different falls off in the distance

Witch’s Hair

 

[JCavSD]

Orange/red, yellow, and white everywhere

Top of the falls

 

[JCavSD]

Boat load of people at the bottom of the falls…had no idea we weren’t alone

Nice and secluded at the top of the falls...and a few good chest high pools of water perfect for cooling off

 

[JCavSD]

Nap view…with my latest additions from Ray Laconico and Diamond J Knives (Dan & Marce)…both very fine knives

Checking out potential future camp sites upstream of the falls

I highly recommend this hike, and there are plenty of opportunities to get off train and camp and play. Will probably head back in few weeks and set up camp.

 

[Wildewinds]

Looks like you had perfect weather. Was there much shade along the trail?

 

[JCavSD]

Very little shade until about half a mile away from the falls. Plenty of tree cover at the falls and along the creek leading to and from the falls.

 

[thrillbilly]

looks great! Gotta love Julian Pies!!!!!


I'm headed to Cleveland tomorrow, gonna camp out for a overnighter...but the south part, probably Bobcat Meadows.

 

[fujita yuji]

Beautiful place.
Thanks for sharing, JCavSD.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Thanks for sharing

 

[tknife]

Great shots. Love it when we have some green, it turns brown so fast usually! Great shots of the falls, that's a ton of people down there!

 

[CCMI]

Wow, nice pictures. Cleveland looks a whole lot different than I remember. I bet you could see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from way up there huh

 

[PropThePolecat]

Beautiful terrain! Looks like you had a fantastic day.

 

[TheGame]

Wish that was near Cleveland, Ohio

Thanks for sharing bro :thumbup:

 

[JCavSD]

Great shots. Love it when we have some green, it turns brown so fast usually! Great shots of the falls, that's a ton of people down there!

Raining again today, looks like our green season is going to string out a bit longer. Get it while it lasts!

 

[kgd]

Excellent water shots. Looks pretty. I wouldn't mind the desert so much when its in full bloom and next to water falls