Would you believe there is a year-round waterfall within a stones
throw of the intersection of College Ave. and Highway 8? Just north
of SDSU the runoff shed by some 15 square miles of chaparral
covered hillsides and urban streets placidly crosses under ten
lanes of Interstate 8. Then it tumbles, virtually unseen by anyone
today, through a narrow little gorge, forming the series of
cascades known as Adobe Falls. For decades now, SDSU students have
secretly trekked over to this idyllic spot for picnics and grafitti
writing, sometimes scraping the sticky adobe soil off the soles of
their shoes. Today the land is controlled by the City of San Diego
Wastewater Department (and it sometimes smells a little, mostly in
the summer months) and is "loosely" fenced but easy to get to.
We recommend starting at N32° 46.853 W117° 04.191 (and if you
have trouble with fencing go to N32° 46.807 W117° 04.262). If you
want a more challenging approach start at N32° 46.935 W117°
04.482.
Whoa- March 2002 update- many thanks to Robereno for discovering
a new and (OK, I admit it) even more exciting approach via the
incredible Lost Tunnel of the Aztecs! Start near North 32/46.739
West 117/04.145 and scramble down thru the bushes and into the
giant black hole....... The cache is an ammo can and initial
contents include a rain pancho, dollar coin, egg timer, penlight,
mini-skateboard, hot wheel car, silly putty, whistle-compass,
glow-ball, and balloon pump (with balloons!). Please try to hide
the cache box with rocks when you leave, as it has been stolen
twice (!) in the past three years.
Special thanks to David Wiles and Jerry Schad's Roam-O-Rama for
uncovering this little urban treasure. When you reach the falls
watch your step! The approach to the falls involves some tricky
footwork on loose gravel above big boulders, and rocks near the
water are slippery when wet!