Three Sisters Waterfall

Distance:	4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain/Loss:	1000'/1000'
Difficulty(1-10):	7
backpacking/camping allowed:	yes, with permit
Agency	Cleveland National Forest, Palomar District

The Three Sisters Waterfall is located in San Diego's Cleavland National Forest, in the Palomar District. The hike is only 1.8 miles, but there is a 1000 feet elevation drop/gain and sections of the trail are very steep. From the trail head, you go west along the ridge of a mountain, after about a half mile the trail forks and you want to turn left and descends south down into the first canyon (sheep camp creek). If you are backpacking, there is a good camping spot right off of the trail at the top of the ridge before you descend down towards sheep camp creek (go straight from the fork for about 100 feet). When you get to the bottom of sheep camp creek, you follow the trail along the bottom of that canyon until you come to a saddle that leads to the next canyon, which is boulder creek. This saddle are also provides a good camping spot if you are backpacking. The section ahead is the most difficult part of this trail. The hike down into boulder creek is a very steep climb for about 1/4 mile. Once you come to boulder creek, you follow a short trail to the south and then you begin boulder hopping your way up towards the water falls.

The Three Sister Waterfalls are a great place to splash around and get wet. In the Spring time, the pools can be as deep as 5-8 feet. However, in the late summer, the pools may only be 1-3 feet deep. You will find water there year-around.

The hike is pretty difficult, mainly because of the 1000 feet elevation drop/gain over a 1.8 mile distance. And the 1/4 mile descend down into boulder creek is very, very steep.



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The Three Sisters in March, 2009

The top waterfall in early August, 2010

The middle waterfall in early August, 2010

The lower waterfall in March, 2009

The lower waterfall in March, 2009

Cedar Creek Falls

Distance:	4.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain/Loss:	1200'/1200'
Difficulty(1-10):	5
backpacking/camping allowed:	yes, with permit
Agency	Cleveland National Forest, Palomar District

Cedar Creek Falls is in the Palomar District of the Cleavland National Forest. Cedar Creek Falls can be accessed from either Ramona (San Diego Country Estates) or from Julian. It is about a 2 mile hike from either starting point.

The trail from Julian is probably a little easier than the trail from Ramona. The trail from Julian is an old dirt road. The trail from Ramona is very steep in parts.

Coming in from Julian, you hike along an old dirt road that is no longer in use. during the first 3/4 miles, if you look up the canyon behind you, you will see Mildred Falls. When you are near the bottom of the canyon, you will come to an area where the trail forks. The "old road" continues straight, and there is a more narrow trail to the left that goes over a saddle. The water fall is on the other side of the hill in front of you. The easy path is to continue straight on the old road and follow the trail up the next canyon to the base of Cedar Creek Falls. Or, you can take the narrow trail to the left and go up and over the saddle. Once on top of the saddle the trail forks again. you can follow the trail to the right, which will take you to the top of the water fall, and you can climb down a very steep trail to the base of Cedar Creek Falls. If you are backpacking, there are some great camping spot in the valley just upstream from the water fall.

Cedar Creek Falls has water year-around and is often very crowded (especially on weekends in the summer). The water ranges in depth from about 4 feet to 8 feet deep. The waterfall is really flowing and is most impressive in winter and early spring (after a good rain). In the summer time, the water usually just trickles over the falls, however, it's much more enjoyable for swimming in the summer.


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Cedar Creek Falls in March, 2010

Cedar Creek Falls in March, 2010

Cedar Creek Falls in March, 2010

Cedar Creek Falls in June, 2008

Cedar Creek Falls in June, 2008