SAN DIEGO — I’ll admit it: I’ve been putting off this hike for months. I blamed the warm weather and told myself I didn’t have time for a six-hour trek, but the truth is that I knew El Cajon Mountain was going to be a difficult climb.
I’ve summited more strenuous peaks around Southern California over the last year, but for some reason, El Cajon Mountain seemed daunting. Everyone (read: fellow hikers on the internet) describes it as a behemoth and the most difficult hike in San Diego.
Now I can say the reviews were mostly accurate; it was a tough hike. But the key detail with the roughly 11-mile out-and-back Summit Trail on El Cajon Mountain is being prepared and knowing your own ability. Reading reviews of a hike may give you a warped expectation for what’s to come, when at the end of the day, each hiker has their own idea of what’s easy or challenging.
All said, I enjoyed this hike and will do it again — and despite its more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain, it’s likely not the most difficult hike in the county. Plus, hikers are rewarded with excellent views from the trail, including of the nearby Oakoasis County Preserve and San Vicente Reservoir and more distant places like downtown San Diego.
There are a few items I would recommend bringing on this hike, though: at least one trekking pole to help climb up and down the steep grade; sturdy hiking boots with ample traction; and at least three liters of water.
El Cajon Mountain lies within the El Capitan Open Space Preserve, which holds 2,619 acres and a mix of plant life such as laurel sumac, manzanita and lemonade berry. The area was used for granite mining in the 19th and 20th centuries, and there’s even a short trail off the main path that leads to old mines.
Start from the El Capitan Open Space Preserve parking lot on Wildcat Canyon Road, at the intersection of Oak Oasis Road and Blue Sky Ranch Road. Note that the parking lot is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so if you’re starting your hike earlier (which you should do on a warm day), you’ll need to park on the street.
Begin walking up the paved path, which quickly turns to dirt. There are two vault toilets at the half-mile mark. From there, head up a series of switchbacks for about 0.3 miles.
The trail then opens to a wide path for about a mile, with several steep hills and some spots for shade, before a washed-out rocky section takes you to the 3-mile point halfway up the mountain. Here, a stop sign serves as a reminder for hikers to allot enough time to return down the mountain.
The trail continues up, with few breaks from the precipitous grade. There are several trail markers along the way with an elevation profile so hikers know how much altitude they’re gaining.
At the 5-mile mark, hikers will reach an intersection with the trail leading to the summit of El Capitan, the peak just west of El Cajon Mountain. Continue on the trail heading east toward El Cajon Mountain. The final mile to the summit includes some rock scrambling and maneuvering and reaches grades as steep as 45%.
Once at the top of the 3,677 foot peak, the climb will feel worth it. Perch on a rock and enjoy the 360-degree view of the county, including other local summits such as Cowles Mountain, Mt. Woodson, Viejas Mountain and Cuyamaca Peak.
