Gate Closed at Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead; Forest Service in Place

At least one U.S. Forest Service vehicle has been posted at the entrance to the Cedar Creek Falls trailhead parking area in Ramona Friday.

. It's reported he slipped and fell about 80 feet into water, hitting rocks on the way and sustaining massive head injuries. The El Cajon teen was hiking with his cousins. Another hiker was injured by the teenager's fall and taken to Palomar Medical Center.

Neighbors near the trailhead on Thornbush Road in the San Diego Country Estates told Patch that there have been up to 250 vehicles each day on their street on the weekends and they are glad the trail has been closed so that authorities can get the situation under control.

Emergency responders have expressed concern over groups of people partying at the falls. Ramona Fire Department Battalion Chief Saul Villagomez said some visitors are consuming alcohol and not carrying enough water, causing dehydration coming back up in the heat. It takes about two hours to hike back uphill to the parking lot. 

There have been at least 11 reported rescue calls from the area since Saturday, when the Fourth of July weekend began. At least three of those calls came after the hiker's death, when the Forest Service stated it would close the trail.

Villagomez said some peoples' dogs died recently after going on the hike.

The trail is closed from all entry points until further notice, according to the posted signs.