Visitors to Cedar Creek Falls this weekend will notice a larger presence of law enforcement, with Forest Service and sheriff’s personnel on ATVs patrolling the trail through Sunday.
The special detail that began Friday will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Authorities will be roaming the trail on ATVs, advising visitors on being properly prepared for the hike and providing information about the weather and hazards they may encounter. Highway Patrol officers will be enforcing parking restrictions.
So far this week the sheriff’s helicopter unit has made at least . On Monday, a 19-year-old woman hiking in the area was overcome by the heat and was airlifted to a hospital, but she died shortly after arrival.
The other two rescues were on Tuesday, when a dog and a 79-year-old man, traveling in different parties, were assisted out of the area by a sheriff’s helicopter.
Sheriff’s deputies will also be at the trailhead in Ramona, reminding people that the west access to the falls off Thornbush Road is still closed, according to the department.
Temperatures in the area are expected to reach the high 80s over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, with a chance of thunderstorms.
