Spectacular Swimming Spots Includes One in SLV

A popular San Lorenzo River swimming spot makes Huffington Post list of "7 Spectacular Swimming Holes In The United States (PHOTOS)"

The so called "Garden of Eden" (aka Cable Car Beach) in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park used to be a semi-secret spot along the river that was difficult to find and access from Highway 9 because you had to park beyond the spot, hike down until you reached the railroad track and then walk back to a trail that led you down the slope.

If you started from the wrong spot or chose the wrong path down the hill you could find yourself in a precarious situation.

It's been a couple of years since I've hiked down there but if the number of cars parked along Highway 9 in the vicinity are any indication I imagine it's a lot easier to find than the first time I found the spot, too long ago to mention.

I don't know this for a fact but I believe it earned the name "Garden of Eden" more for the predominant state of undress among bathers than for the idyllic setting.  Local rescue workers like to point out that there have been many people who did not avoid the temptation to dive ever higher off of the massive boulders resulting in serious injuries requiring a difficult carry out.