Kumeyaay - Ah-ha' Wi-Ah-ah' (Water Colder Water)
The cold spring, located on the high peak of the Cuyamacas, is well known to all lovers of these mountains, and the Indians, who must ever have a reason for the existence of things, tell how it was created and named by one of their mythical creatures of long ago.
At one time in the ages past, the Ah-ha' Kwe-ah-mac' (Water Beyond) mountains were infested by monstrous giants with loathsome, ill-shapen bodies, who terrorized the surrounding country. These marauders, lurking and watching their opportunity, frequently stole the Indian maids from their villages, keeping them in bondage as slaves.
One of the giants, named Hum-am' Kwish' wash (Whip to kill people), lived in the vicinity of Pam-mum'am-wah' (Green Valley).
He reveled in the most fiendish greediness, but his innate sense of the beautiful was keen and strong. He not only selected the most delightful places to live, but surrounded himself with objects pleasing to the eye. Always he stole the fairest of the Indian maids, and required them to weave the most exquisite designs known in their art of basket making.
His cruelty was extreme, and did his slaves displease him in the least, they met with the most horrible death imaginable.
This hideous being possessed supernatural powers, which he employed in various ways. It seems he that wanted nothing but the coldest water to drink. He tried the water in the streams, and tried the water in the springs which abound throughout the country, but never did any of it suit his taste; so he created for himself a spring of colder water.
In one of the most alluring spots on the mountainside, in the dense shade of the fragrant forest of pines and cedars, he brought forth a crystal spring of icy water, and named it Ahha' Wi-Ah-ha', (Water Colder Water).
Here in this nook of surpassing loveliness, where the graceful lilies nod their stately heads, and delicate fronds of lace-like greenery push their way up through the carpet of velvet moss, he sent his slaves with their beautifully woven water-baskets to fetch him a drink when he grew thirsty.
One day, calling a slave he commanded her to bring some water instantly, with dire threats of punishment should it become tepid before it reached him.
This maiden, radiant with the beauty of the starlight, was so good, so pure, so true that she had been fairly adored by her people before she was so cruelly snatched from their midst.
Swiftly she wound her way up through the towering aisles of solemn pines, softly intoning their prayers to the heavens above them. Wistfully longing to be free from the dreadful ogre who held her captive, she begged the trees to plead with the great In 'ya (Sun), who rules over all, to take pity on her distress.
The flowers and the birds felt the quivering throb of her anguish. The starry-eyed snow-flowers, gleaming in the shade by the wayside, gave their incense to be wafted on high by the whispering breeze; the cooing dove sent its most plaintive cry above; and every other living thing along the pathway offered its gift in her behalf to In 'ya (Sun) riding the heavens in his flaming ball of light.
When she reached the spring, she sad on its brink, and filed her basket with its cold, refreshing water. Gazing into the crystal depths she caught a glimmer of a shadow quickly passing, and at once knew it to be that of the good spirit of the spring.
She beseeched and plead with it to save her from the clutches of Hum-am' Kwish 'wash (Whip to kill people); and as she leaned over farther and farther, trying to get one more glimpse of the shadow, the waters rose up and gently engulfed her.
All nature hushed in a sweet silence of gratitude as she was drawn into the protecting arms of Ah-ha' Wi-Ahha' (Water Colder Water); and there she has dwelt in safety ever since.