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!
Looks gorgeous! I especially liked all the flower photos. We’ve been doing a ton of hiking on the coastal path this last week with Viki’s cousins, very different landscape and really beautiful.
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thanks for the flowers and the vistas…. both take-your-breath-away xo
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Yay! Getting back on the trail is nice.
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