Welcome to the second chapter of Explore the Earth, a mini-series that celebrates our planet and all its wonders! Since we celebrate Earth Day in April, I thought it was only fitting to create a series that captures the beauty of our home. Earth Day is always a commemoration of the wonders of our planet, as well as a hope that we all come together in order to preserve our planet instead of harming it. Exploring the natural places around us can provide clarity on why we should care about environmental conservation. In this series, I’ll be taking you along to some of the unique places I’ve been visiting lately, and I hope to encourage you to explore the natural wonders around you! Earth Day might only come around once a year, but every day is another opportunity to explore the Earth.
Note: While it’s important to explore the Earth and discover the amazing places around us, remember that we’re currently still in a pandemic. I was wearing a mask and practicing social distancing on all of these trips, and you should be too! Remember to protect yourself and those around you.
For part two of Explore the Earth, we’re heading to Cedar Creek Falls, located in southern California. Cedar Creek Falls is part of the Cleveland National Forest and is accessible by taking a long hike down the canyon. This hike was beyond beautiful, but was quite strenuous due to the high temperatures on the trail. While descending to the base of the canyon felt like a leisurely stroll through sweet-smelling wildflowers and tall grasses, our return trip consisted of a seemingly never ending uphill battle under the blazing sun. However, even the ascending hike was worth it to see the stunning waterfall at our destination.
The main critters we saw and heard on this trail were the honeybees. The sun definitely didn’t bother these busy bugs as they zoomed from flower to flower all day long. There was even a part of the trail where we had to walk through a large group of bees that were surrounding the knee-high wildflowers that grew along the path. Although it was slightly terrifying to scurry through the buzzing cloud of bees, it definitely made me appreciate the immense work that bees do for the environment by pollinating plants.
Of course, the main point of interest is the waterfall itself. Cedar Creek Falls is an 80-foot-tall waterfall that cascades into the pool of water at the base of the canyon. Since we visited in the spring, the falls were still flowing and the cold plunge pool was perfect for taking a dip in before hiking back up the valley. It seemed unbelievable that this perfect oasis was nestled deep into the canyon while the rest of the valley was dry and hot.
The strenuous six mile hike that took us to the bottom of the valley and back was definitely worth it, and our efforts were rewarded by the splendor of the waterfall that flowed at the end of the trail. Even simply hiking through the hills and taking in the scents of cedar and wildflowers was so peaceful and uplifting, despite the heat.
There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. It always gives me a new perspective on life, which is why I encourage my friends and family to go hiking. Wherever you’re living, there’s an endless amount to be discovered in the world around you. Visiting state, regional and national parks is a great way to support these lands and the people who preserve them for generations to come.
I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into Cedar Creek Falls! Join me next time for part three of Explore the Earth, where we’ll begin a new adventure at another beautiful place on the planet.