El Cajon Mountain
11.0 mi
Distance
5 hrs 14 min
Time
terrain
2,062 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult out and back trail to El Cajon Mountain in Cleveland National Forest.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
This trail isn't as hard as many make it out to be, it's just really long. I think that many say it's hard because they're starting later (e.g., 10, 11 AM). I started at 6:30 and didn't drink water all the way up. But I emptied my camelback on the way down. Visit the abandoned kaolinite mines at 32°54'59.9"N 116°50'27.9"W
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Hiking conditions were perfect yesterday. Cool and overcast. What makes this hike so tough is you're going up and down steep hills both ways. I kept track yesterday so I could mentally prepare for the hike down - 4 steep hills to climb on the way back. There are no switchbacks. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get back to the car before the gates are locked!
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Public Tracks
El Cajon Peak 6-5-15
Completed hike. Four days ago I had to stop at the junction because of fatigue. Today I followed suggestions from the JMT FB group - take small steps, take your time. (John Ladd hikes 1 mile an hour.) I also practiced power (pressure?) breathing suggested at the A16 Everest Talk #2 and used my trekking poles for "gas" as suggested on the Backpacking Light website. I'm exhilarated that I could do it.
El Cajon Peak 6-5-15
Completed hike. Four days ago I had to stop at the junction because of fatigue. Today I followed suggestions from the JMT FB group - take small steps, take your time. (John Ladd hikes 1 mile an hour.) I also practiced power (pressure?) breathing suggested at the A16 Everest Talk #2 and used my trekking poles for "gas" as suggested on the Backpacking Light website. I'm exhilarated that I could do it.
Blue Sky Ranch Road to 12620 Wildcat Canyon Rd, San Diego County, CA, USA
El Cajon mountain
Training hike
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