Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead — Attraction in San Diego Country Estates

First thing I should mention is if you haven't been hiking for a while, this is not the hike for you. Either way this is a buddy hike, meaning bring a buddy along and tell another buddy where you are going and your ETA. Second thing I have to mention, you need to purchase a permit, and register for the day you plan on hiking, to go on this trail. Follow the instructions on their website. When you get to the trailhead don't forget to sign in. Third bring plenty of snacks and water, don't forget to bring your trash back with you. Also there is no cellphone service after a certain point, so put your phone on airplane mode to save your data and still have the ability to take photos.

So buckle up, buttercup! This is gonna be a long ride. No, seriously! This is a six mile hike total to the waterfall and back to the trail head. You walk three miles down the steep incline of a path. There are plenty of shaded areas along the way, to take a break at. Once I got to the bottom of the incline I went over a short bridge, into the wooded area. I crossed a couple of heavy streams. Eventually I made it to the waterfall. I had the whole waterfall to myself for thirty minutes. I found a rock, took a seat, and enjoyed the view while I ate a snack. I got so many photos. Then towards the steep incline I go, the other three miles. I crossed back over the streams, went back over the bridge and up the steep incline I went. As I was going up, I realized that I should have trained myself, prior to this hike. I ended up needing several breaks along the way up. But I eventually made it back to the Trail head. For me I started the walk, at 12:51 and I made it back to trail head by 17:01. Even though I was exhausted by the end of the hike, the view and breaths of fresh air was totally worth it. 10/10. I will have to do this...

My family and I hiked the main trail down to the punch bowl swimming hole late June 2013. The beauty of the mountains, greenery of the trees in the canyon, and the majestic awe of the surrounding wilderness create an environment that everyone should experience. When we arrived at the end, we found that the waterfall had dried up and the only thing left was the murky, cold, swimming hole. Some times to take heed to:

1. The Temp at the start of the hike was 89F and as we hiked down it quickly rose to 106F in the canyon. While it is refreshing to visit the swimming hole, be wary that the temp is about 25 degrees hotter below the start of the trailhead. Likewise take enough water for your hike down and then back up... about 1 gal per person.
2. There isn't any facilities for using the bathroom and this has led to a few people urinating along the way. It has also led some individuals to poop in some bushes... as seen with my own eyes and that man got a nasty earful from me.
3. There was trash present around the swimming hole and PLENTY of young adults drinking beer and some were on 'shrooms (not safe while swimming). We did our best to clean up the precious spot so that others could enjoy. When you get there please make sure that others respect it as well or it will be closed down again.
4. There is wildlife. Aside from the occasional hare's and eagles that were spotted, on our way back up a rattlesnake was clearly on the trail and not moving. We thought it was dead and the the rattle began. A threw some dirt on it to get it moving and it finally crossed the trail. I must admit that it was beginning of a sunset and it became dark on the way up the trail. Scorpions, filed mice, toads, and other snakes were seen. Coyotes were heard so be careful if planning on...

Ok this place is awesome. I recommend visiting NOW before the waterfall dries up. Some tips: you need a reservation/permit to enter. It's 6 bucks for a group of five people. Can't add more than 5 to your permit. Although the ranger did stop checking for reservations at some point because when we got back he wasnt at the entrance anymore. So i guess you could arrive later if you really wanted to avoid being turned away. But I recommend getting there as early as possible because of the heat. We started around 8 and got back by 1230ish or so. I suggest wearing long sleeve and pants if you don't want to sun burn. There's also a lot of shrubs and natural vegetation along the trail, don't want to get scratched up. If you do plan on going in the water wear a bathing suit underneath or something comfy enough that you can hike in afterwards because it is a little hard on the way back. Mostly uphill (since you're going downhill on the way to the falls). Bring lots of water or those hydration powder stuff to keep you hydrated and a change of clothes, towel and definitely socks! Take some water shoes or hiking sandals with you. There are 3 water crossings so keep that in mind. We did come across some rattlesnakes so be careful. On our way back we drank one of the celsius drinks and it honestly gave us the boost we needed to hike back. At the first water crossing the water is a bit deep , I'd say knee deep. The next two weren't as deep but definitely hard to cross if you don't have water shoes. If you're cool with getting your hiking shoes wet, go for it. All in all, pretty cool place , nice hike. Going...