13 April 2022
Cedar Creek Falls to Lake Cuyamaca
(20 miles, +4,800/-2,000 feet).

My knee is finally better!

I have been itching to get back on trail since I left the AZT. I originally was planning to go to Arches National Park this week to do some exploring, but my flight was cancelled!

So I decided to take advantage of the nice weather in the mountains here to finish my section hike of the San Diego Trans County Trail (SDTCT).

I got an Uber to the trailhead with a nice woman who told me all about her lip filling business (who knew?). And by 7am I was on trail.

I’ve been to Cedar Creek Falls before, but I’ve only been to the top, and this time I was headed for the bottom.

There were SOOO many flowers! It must be the peak of the season. They reminded me of all the lovely flowers I saw on my long PCT hike last spring.

It was only about an hour to get to the falls. They were flowing and quite beautiful. If it was warmer I would have jumped in!

From there I clambered up a steep rocky wash to get to the top of the falls.

I then followed a faint animal path to get back to trail. On the way I saw a deer!

The trail climbs up an old jeep road and gives great views of Cajon Mountain in the distance and the valley below.

At the end of the Cedar Creek Trail I took a snack break, then I headed onto a nice jeep road. I haven’t seen a single soul this morning!

The jeep road eventually took me to a better-maintained forest road which leads to the trailhead for Three Sisters Falls (I’ve never been there — next time!).

From here, the rest of the day was a road walk, though it was still relatively nice for a while with very little traffic.

Right before the Inaja Indian Reservation I stopped at a nice overlook to have lunch.

Alas, my luck ran out about 5 miles before Lake Cuyamaca. The SDTCT turns into a paved road!

It wasn’t too busy, but it was narrow and windy and I had to be careful where I walked on curves.

On the plus side, I made very good time and arrived at Lake Cuyamaca before the pub closed.

I set up my tent in a campsite I reserved by the lake. It was okay, but my site was slopey and full of gravel.

Today felt like a normal day on the SDTCT: some very pretty parts connected by some long dull parts. I’m happy that tomorrow I will have a chance to fill in my last missing piece of it!