Cedar Grove Overlook via Hotel Creek Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The rocky outcrop at the overlook has no guardrails and drops off steeply — watch your footing, especially if the rock is wet or if you're scrambling for a better photo angle.
Rattlesnakes are active in the lower chaparral zone from late spring through early fall; watch where you place your hands and feet on the switchbacks.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start before 8 AM in summer — the lower chaparral section faces south and becomes a convection oven by mid-morning, turning a tough hike into a miserable one.
Carry at least two liters per person; there's no reliable water source on this trail, and the exposed switchbacks will drain you faster than you expect.
The overlook itself is a broad rocky area with multiple vantage points — walk past the obvious first viewpoint and explore to the right for a less obstructed angle that captures both the canyon depth and the river below.
