Officials identify hiker who died on steep trail

Special to the Ramona Sentinel

The 24-year-old man who died while hiking along the Cedar Creek Falls/Three Sisters trail in the Cleveland National Forest Tuesday has been identified as Andrew Moreno of San Ysidro.

Officials said Moreno and a group of four friends were ascending from the falls area heading back to the trailhead on the Julian side when Moreno began to stumble and feel faint about 5:45 p.m.

After sitting down and appearing flush, Moreno began having trouble breathing and then fell unconscious. Friends tried performing CPR and called 911 on a cellphone.

A sheriff’s rescue helicopter crew located the group on the trail, landed, and began first aid. Moreno was then flown to Ramona for further medical treatment but died before he could be taken to a hospital.

The cause of death has not yet been determined although officials speculated that a combination of heat exhaustion and a heart problem may have been major contributing factors.

The journey to the Cedar Creek Falls, whether accessed from the Ramona side in the San Diego Country Estates or from the Julian side off Eagle Peak Road, is a strenuous hike that often catches people by surprise.

The hike down to the falls is simple, the hike back up, steep.

In 2011 the forest service closed the trail after it had become incredibly popular partly do to social media which identified the swimming hole at the falls as a place to party. The closure also came a short time after a teenager fell to his death from a cliff above the falls.

Before the closing dozens of rescues each year were being made as hikers, unprepared for the heat and improperly dressed, had to be flown out due to such things as heat exhaustion and broken and sprained ankles.

Two years ago the trail was reopened under new rules that banned alcohol from the falls, banned jumping or hiking near the cliffs, and required a permit for all groups accessing the trail from San Diego Country Estates in Ramona. This was designed to limit the number of people using the trail to 375 a day.

Whether Moreno and his group had obtained a permit was not known Wednesday, according to a forest official.

The permit system and new rules seemed to work. Rescues have fallen dramatically since the trail was reopened.

The Sheriff’s Department issued a news release Wednesday cautioning hikers about the danger of the trail.

“The trail to Cedar Creek Falls is a challenging 5-1/2 mile hike with no shade from the sun. It is not for beginners,” the release said. “The return trip is mostly uphill. You will need at least a gallon of water to stay hydrated. Dress appropriately for the hike and know your limits.”

Tips offered by the department:

• Never go hiking alone.

• Know your limitations. Choose trails that match your level of physical fitness and areas where you are not going to get lost.

•Bring ample food, water, sunscreen, a flashlight, a map, a GPS device, a first aid kit, a multipurpose tool or knife, and a whistle.

•Cellphone signals may be limited, but it’s still good to have a fully charged phone in case you need to call for help.

•Wear proper clothing: boots, sunglasses, hat, gloves, helmet, etc.