Despite heat, hikes to Cedar Creek Falls continue
At the beginning of summer, Cleveland National Forest was considering closing the Cedar Creek Falls trail when temperatures hit 90 degrees or hotter for health safety reasons, but pending paperwork has prevented them from doing so, according to a spokesperson.
From Monday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 20, four rescues had been performed at the trail — two by air and two by foot, all for heat-related illnesses, said Olivia Walker, Cleveland National Forest public affairs officer. Two of the victims were taken to a hospital, she said.
Over the weekend, the forest service said, no rescues were performed at the trail and it appeared the heat appeared to keep hikers away.
Temperatures at the waterfall, which is usually dry in the summer, can be 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the trailhead at the end of Thornbush Road in San Diego Country Estates, and often hikers do not carry enough water. Most rescues occur between 1 and 3 p.m., the hottest part of the day, said Walker.
The forest service order to allow a temperature-related closure was still being drafted, Walker said last Thursday. That internal document then needs to be signed off by forest service law enforcement, supervisor, and lawyers, she said, explaining that the agency is covering its bases because some people become angry when they find a trail closed.
To hike to Cedar Creek Falls, six miles round trip, a forest service visitor’s use permit is required that costs $6, covers five people and is available at www.recreation.gov.
On the afternoon of July 18, when the Feather Fire burned toward the Barona Mesa area and smoke on the other side of a hill was visible from the trailhead, a neighbor of the area said the trailhead parking lot was full of vehicles. A San Diego County Sheriff’s Department helicopter crew flew over the trail area, advising hikers to leave the trail before it could become a mandatory evacuation. Resident Lisa Acampora said 20 minutes later about a dozen people, who were not from the Ramona area, had returned from the trail but were standing at their cars instead of leaving.
“They were waiting for further instructions,” Acampora said, “They were standing around like sheep waiting for someone to tell them what to do.” And, they told her there were many more hikers down in the canyon.
Other than the sheriff’s helicopter, there were no other authorities at the site, she said. Had the wind changed, the fire could have headed to the canyon, she added.
On that day, Walker said 25 to 30 permits had been issued, so up to 150 people could have used the trail. Walker said authorities would not close the trail in such a situation until they knew it was totally evacuated.
Apparently not all hikers are using the designated trail. Acampora said she has seen people use fire trails in the area and Walker said the forest service has heard that is happening.
“It is a more difficult way to access the falls,” she said.
People are not allowed to use the fire trails to reach the falls, Walker said, and would still need a permit at the falls. Without one, they could be ticketed. Forest service staff periodically monitor the area.
Weekends are busier at the trail with as many as 400 people in one day, and forest service personnel split time there and at the Three Sisters Falls trail, she said.
Walker said they are looking for volunteer trailhead hosts for Cedar Creek Falls. Past hosts checked for permits and advised hikers on safety issues. Anyone interested should contact Lee Hamm, Palomar District recreational officer, at 760-788-3327.