Anyone want to join me on a hike? (Part 1)

by Kim_Johnson February 27, 2019, 3:15 pm 321 Views 9 Votes 20 Comments

Oh my gosh, I just hiked to the best waterfall I have ever seen in Southern California. As has become my normal lately I took over 100 pictures. I think it was actually 103 of them. Usually only half are good enough to keep, but I had around 75 keepers. I will show you a smidgen of those below. I hope you enjoy the drive and hike.

The waterfall is called, “Three Sisters Falls” and it is located on the southern most part of the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County California. This fall is on a dirt road about half way in between the towns of Julian and Ramona. We recently had a bunch of snow in the mountains. Over two feet, and a bunch of rain as well. Great time to visit a fall that does dry up completely in the summer months.

Are you ready? I made this post part one, because I like to keep my posts on or around 10 photos per post.

This hike was around 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. I also have a fear of heights and get vertigo super bad. I did feel it during this one. You will see why…

#1 El Capitan Mountain

is that sunlit mountain, it is located in the town of El Cajon on the Cuyamaca Mountain Ridge. It's elevation is almost 4000 feet. If you want to hike that trail it is 11 miles with an elevation gain of 3000 feet. A little too tough for me at this time.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:47 pm

What a stunning view Kim.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:12 pm
  
  If it was a clear day with no haze you could see the ocean from here as well.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 8:21 pm

Why is there an electricity pole there? Are there settlements around there?

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:09 pm
  
  There is an Indian Reservation just down the hill.
  
  1

#2 The road turned to a dirt road here.

and yes, that is snow you see on the side of the road.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:48 pm

So funny to see snow in your photos.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:12 pm
  
  Not the average for me right? lol

#3 Snow

We start seeing more snow. The road still looks great though..Onward..

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:48 pm

I see big spots of snow here.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:13 pm
  
  I wish I would’ve stopped and took pictures of the road when it turned bad.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 8:31 pm

How long does the snow last and not runny?

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:10 pm
  
  It can snow two feet one day and be gone the next. Or stay for a few weeks. This year it seems to be sticking around. We will get more snow up there today, and it will rain all day on the coast.
  
  1

#4 We got two feet of snow.

It started getting deep, but I had to cross this mountain to get to the valley beyond, and that waterfall. We ended up dragging on the bottom several times. I was worried about gettting stuck. My little fiat is a trooper though. It made it.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:49 pm

Glad you made it through safely.
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:14 pm
  
  Me too, there were a few sketchy parts.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 8:35 pm

Are you driving while taking pictures?

(Of course not.)

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:11 pm
  
  No, not on this road. That is my sons hands in the mirror. 🙂 I did stop a few times and get out to snap a few.
  
  1

#5 The trail.

Looks nice and flat, well maintained. There were a few other hikers making this trek as you can see the dark specks on the trail ahead.. We will be going down into that valley you see in the distance, before the snow covered mountain top.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:49 pm

Love those mountains in the background.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:15 pm
  
  I love it when the snow gets so low. It snowed at 2500 feet this time.

#6 Looking back…

We had walked about a mile.. Not much has changed..

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:49 pm

You are really getting your exercise.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:15 pm
  
  Two days later, my legs are still sore.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 10:10 pm

How about your breath, Kim?

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:12 pm
  
  I caught a bad cold a few days before, this did nothing for it. It was hard.
  
  1
  - Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:
    
    March 2, 2019 at 6:31 pm
    
    But apparently your determination and enthusiasm is far greater than that difficulty.

#7 Always up ahead of me.

My son and Meika, my wolfdog..

All three dogs went along, my moms chihuahua mix, my aussiedoberman mix and my wolfdog. They loved it.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:50 pm

Funny how they want to lead, protecting you I guess.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:16 pm
  
  Or I am just slow. They do come back and forth and check on me though when they get too far ahead. My boss says Meika is in protection mode. I don’t know though…

#8 A little over two miles into the walk

You can see the waterfall.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:50 pm

Wow what a view, love the waterfall.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:17 pm
  
  I am getting ready to post the close ups of the falls today.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 10:14 pm

The river is visible!

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:12 pm
  
  You round a bend and walla, there it is.
  
  1

#9 Zooming in

This little camera looses alot when you zoom, but here it is. Three sisters falls.. The name Three sisters comes from the fact that there are three tiers to this fall. You can see two of them here.

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:50 pm

Amazing views on this hike.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:18 pm
  
  I saw a video of this hike in the spring, it has tons of flowers. I want to go back then.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 10:15 pm

The Falls are already clearer!

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:13 pm
  
  A bit closer, and you can see the trail on the left.
  
  1

#10 About a half a mile to go

We are getting closer. Now for our final descent into the valley.. Look for part two coming soon in which we get to the falls. A closer look...

Thanks for hiking with me!

Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:51 pm

How many breaks to do you take on these hikes?

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:19 pm
  
  On the way down we took two. On the way back up, every 10-20 feet for me. Jace is in better shape than I am, he had to wait several times for me. He took about three on the way up.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 10:16 pm

Did you bring your stick, Kim?

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:13 pm
  
  I would not have tried this without my trekking pole. It was a life saver for sure.
  
  1

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What do you think?

9 Points

hiking socal

Written by Kim_Johnson

20 Comments

LaJenna says:

April 8, 2019 at 10:33 pm

Loved the hike backwards lol. I just viewed the Part two lol. Awesome photos!
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

March 1, 2019 at 10:19 pm

One big part of the exciting walks, Kim. I will continue this hike tomorrow.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  March 2, 2019 at 2:15 pm
  
  Thank you so much for coming along on the first part of this three post journey.
  
  1
  - Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:
    
    March 2, 2019 at 6:33 pm
    
    Okay, now I will continue to the next stage.
DocAndersen says:

February 28, 2019 at 11:50 am

Thanks for taking us along with you Kim! What a wonderful walk! Excuse me what a wonderful hike!!!!

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:21 pm
  
  Walk, hike, its all the same. I say hike because I have trekking poles. lol Thanks for coming along doc. Dog pix for the rest. Just sayin… Stay tuned. I will post more in a bit.
  
  1
  - DocAndersen says:
    
    February 28, 2019 at 2:51 pm
    
    Dylan says I am not allowed to look at pictures of other dogs anymore.
    
    1
    - Kim_Johnson says:
      
      March 1, 2019 at 2:02 pm
      
      Tell Dylan he is still the best. But lighten up a bit boy! Dad can look at other dogs, its okay. 😉
      
      1
      - DocAndersen says:
        
        March 1, 2019 at 3:15 pm
        
        Dylan feels like he has spent a lot of time training me. He is a very funny dog.
        
        1
    - Kim_Johnson says:
      
      March 1, 2019 at 3:22 pm
      
      Well as you should know, it is not an easy task… Sometimes you just don’t listen.. You should see Luna and Meika when I get home from work. All the dog smells, they look at me like I have cheated.
      
      1
      - DocAndersen says:
        
        March 1, 2019 at 4:56 pm
        
        He has decided that he hates my home office. He stands in the doorway glaring at me, until we go on the walk, Then he forgives me for a time.
        
        1
mavic123456 says:

February 28, 2019 at 2:46 am

wow… seems like fun to me.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:22 pm
  
  This was one of those days that will stay with me until I die. It was one of the best days ever!!
  - mavic123456 says:
    
    March 1, 2019 at 5:58 pm
    
    awww amazing, have you tried spelunking?
vidocka says:

February 27, 2019 at 11:12 pm

Wooow, it was a wonderful and difficult walk. You’re a real climber. The landscape is fantastic.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:23 pm
  
  Thank you Vidocka, it was difficult but so worth it. I even want to do it again when the flowers bloom.
Carol DM says:

February 27, 2019 at 5:51 pm

Loved every step of the way Kim. Stunning views.

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:24 pm
  
  If you really came with me, we’d have to make this a two day trip. We’d still be there shooting pictures. lol Thanks for coming along!!
LaJenna says:

February 27, 2019 at 3:50 pm

Thank you for taking us all along with you. Love the photos

1
- Kim_Johnson says:
  
  February 28, 2019 at 1:26 pm
  
  Thank you for coming along LaJenna. They aren’t photog quality, but you can see what that little camera can do.

Anyone want to join me on a hike? (Part 1)

#1 El Capitan Mountain

#2 The road turned to a dirt road here.

#3 Snow

#4 We got two feet of snow.

#5 The trail.

#6 Looking back…

#7 Always up ahead of me.

#8 A little over two miles into the walk

#9 Zooming in

#10 About a half a mile to go

What do you think?

Written by Kim_Johnson

20 Comments

The dogs…

Copper Creek Mine and Falls

Violet, Lavender, White and Orange for Color Crazy Violet week!

Pine Creek Falls in Horsethief Canyon ~ San Diego ~ California

Horsethief Canyon and Pine Creek

Part 3 ~ Three Sisters Falls

What do you think?

20 Comments

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