From Santa Ysabel, take Highway 78 east towards Julian, to Pine Hills Road (from this turn it is 20+ minutes to the Preserve). Turn right onto Eagle Peak Road. After a short distance, Eagle Peak Road becomes a County maintained dirt road. It is generally in really good condition. Wet weather can make the road a bit slippery in a couple of spots so please drive carefully. The drive provides incredible views. Approximately 1/2 mile before the end of the road at the Saddleback Trailhead, you will come to the Preserve. A Preserve Sign is located at the first entrance. We have 3 entries. Parking is available at the 2nd and third entrance (all are on the left side of the road).

The Preserve is raw land without improvements, except for a parking area and a small shade ramada with a picnic table. The Preserve gates are open for special events only. No hunting is allowed on the property.

If visiting the preserve, please check the weather. If it is a warm day, we encourage you to visit in the morning before it warms up. The elevation is about 2800 feet, so it can get warm during the summer and fall months. Many visitors to the preserve also enjoy the hike to Cedar Creek Falls. It is a 4.4 mile round-trip moderate hike with about 800 feet in elevation change. Visitors also enjoy views of Mildred Falls. This is a seasonal 300 foot waterfall.

Effective Sunday, April 1, 2012, the Cleveland National Forest is opening the east access to Cedar Creek Falls located near Julian, CA off of the Eagle Peak Road. The west access to Cedar Creek Falls and surrounding area, located in Ramona, CA off  Thornbush Road, will remain closed.

A decision by the Cleveland National Forest allows for public access to Cedar Creek Falls only from the east entrance located off the Eagle Peak County Road in Pine Hills (near Julian).

For those using the east entrance please be aware of the following:

• The “difficult” 7 mile roundtrip trail is recommended for advanced hikers only!
• Parking is limited, and vehicles blocking road access will be towed at owner’s expense.
• Alcohol possession and use in the area, including the falls, is prohibited.
• The cliffs surrounding the falls are closed to jumping and diving (swimming is allowed).
• Visitors are not required to have a permit at this time.
• Law enforcement agencies will be on site to enforce these rules.

News Release

March 29, 2012

Partial Opening of Cedar Creek Falls and Access Trails 

San Diego, CA.   Effective Sunday, April 1, 2012, the Cleveland National Forest is opening the east access to Cedar Creek Falls located near Julian, CA off of the Eagle Peak Road.  The west access to Cedar Creek Falls and surrounding area, located in Ramona, CA off of the Thornbush Road, will remain closed.

A decision by the Cleveland National Forest allows for public access to Cedar Creek Falls only from the east entrance located off the Eagle Peak County Road in Pine Hills (near Julian).

 For those using the east entrance please be aware of the following:

·         The “difficult” 7 mile roundtrip trail is recommended for advanced hikers only!

·         Parking is limited, and vehicles blocking road access will be towed at owner’s expense.

·         Alcohol possession and use in the area including the falls is prohibited.

·         The cliffs surrounding the falls are closed to jumping and diving (swimming is allowed).

·         Visitors are not required to have a permit at this time.

·         Law enforcement agencies will be on site to enforce these rules.

“We’re opening access to the falls from the east side as many hikers are very interested in regaining access to the area,” said Joan Friedlander, District Ranger for the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest.  “We feel we can currently grant access from the east side in a manageable manner that provides for safety to the public, and allows forest visitors to enjoy this part of the Forest.  We are continuing to work on a Mangement plan that will allow access from all Forest Service trails.”

The Forest Service closed the falls and access to the falls on July 9, 2011 in order to provide time to design and implement a management plan that addresses issues of overcrowding, damaging impacts to natural resources and public safety.  The Forest Service is studying potential solutions with partner agencies, and intends to make a decision on re-opening full access in summer, 2012.

 Please note the Westside Truck Trail and Gower Truck Trail (13S10) that originate at or near the Thornbush Trailhead remain open for access to Gower.  These trails/roads do not lead to Cedar Creek Falls and have not been closed.