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Cedar Creek Falls – East Approach

This is a hike to the top of Cedar Creek falls from the Julian trail head off of Eagle Peak Rd. The hike is relatively short and not very challenging. The distance is approx 4miles with less than 1k elevation change. The numbers from the GPS data I’ve posted include a small “mountain” we trekked up on a little detour that added some significant elevation gain. If you hike on down to the bottom of the falls it will add some more elevation change.

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Rainbow Canyon

From your parking spot along Highway S-2, head northeast across a sloping alluvial fan towards a nearby mouth of a rocky canyon. Starting at just .3 miles you’re inside the canyon proper. At mile .7 you arrive at a major canyon fork – stay right. At mile 1.1 the canyon bends left, widens and becomes less interesting.

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Volcan Mountain

Volcan Mountain

Distance: 3.2 miles, loop Hiking Time: 2 hours Elevation Gain/Loss 200′/200′ Difficulty: Moderate

From your car on Farmer Road, hike the gravel access road going easy, and you soon reach the preserves gateway.

An old fire road continues sharply up the hill ahead. Presently,

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East Mesa Loop

This is the grand tour of the East Mesa area. From the Sweetwater River Bridge Trailhead, follow the Harvey Moore Trail south and east across a hill side, passing first through a band of oaks and pines and then through a chaparral.

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Sill Hill Waterfall

Distance: 6.5 miles round trip (out and back) Hiking Time: 4.5 hours Elevation Gain/Loss 1400′/1400′ Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Download GPX: Sill Hill Waterfall

Directions: Follow highway 79 9.4 miles south from Julian or 13.4 miles north from Interstate 8 at Descanso to reach the trailhead, on the inside of

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Upper Santa Ysabel Creek

Kanaka Flat

Distance: 7 miles, loop Hiking Time: 3.5 hours Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200′/1200′ Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Directions: From Julian, drive 2 miles north on Farmer Road to Wynola Road, jog briefly right, turn left to remain on Farmer Road. Continue 1.2 miles north to the Santa Ysabel

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