El Cajon Mountain Trail Guide

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Considered “the hardest hike in San Diego” by some (more on that later), the El Cajon Mountain Trail makes you work for it, even though the summit is only at 3,648 feet. El Cajon Mountain, which towers over eastern San Diego, dominates the skyline you drive down I-8. Its sheer granite cliff face is also colloquially known as El Capitan or El Cap, after the iconic granite rock face in Yosemite National Park. We won’t be going up the sheer cliff on this hike but instead taking a rolling trail through El Capitan County Preserve, known for its steep climbs on the way out AND back. Aside from a great workout, the payoff is spectacular views from Palm Springs to Mexico and the bragging rights to say you conquered El Cajon Mountain.
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[@empyrealessence9481]

Just did this hike with my friend. They are closing it down on August 1st along with some other trails due to the heat wave. Took us 8 hours to complete. Started at 6:30am finished 1:30pm. Thankful for the water containers on the way. Got super sun burnt. Heard at least 10 rattlesnakes during the initial first hour and a half. Had to keep dumping water all over my head and body. A lot of steep rocking inclines. Walking back was tough due to how steep the hills were and how long they took to get back. Great views, but extremely difficult and dangerous. Would only recommend going really early in the morning and during winter.

[@ianlutz4018]

Did this hike twice as part of my prep for Whitney, which I just completed with a couple friends. Save the lack of altitude, this was probably the hardest prep hike I did. For reference, I also hiked Baldy, San Jac and Palomar, so this thing is no joke at all. Awesome and rewarding but not for casual hiking at all. Great vid, glad you emphasize how long the steep stretches are.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, this one can be brutal. If it's somewhat hot out, this hike seems to get exponentially harder for me. I've done this in 50F weather and it seemed much easier. Either way, the up and down is always tough on the legs.

[@ianlutz4018]

@@Hikingguy Both times I did it it was in the 70s, can't imagine if it was 85-90+.

[@sodipr5333]

I’m an amateur hiker and I love your videos, it really is so throughly informative and entertaining

[@Hikingguy]

Awesome, thank you! 🙏

[@angakingtutube]

You got everything on point about this trail and I'm grateful for your hiking knowledge that you share with us. It's the toughest hike I've done yet, and I know it won't be my last. Thank you and You got a new subscriber!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and congrats, that's a tough one for sure.

[@johnc8572]

Watched your videos a few times. Save your webpage to view offline. Went on the hike on 9/5/21. 98 was the high. Everything he said was correct. Warning signs everywhere. At the 3rd mile in, there is a watering spot. Heat exhaustion is real. My son got it. We cooled his core temp down and finished the hike. One of the toughest hike in SD, conquered. It was tough but the weather makes it tough. The steepness is absolutely true. At the end, my son said, it was tough but not too bad. IT WAS JUST HOT. Thank you for the great videos Cris. Keep up the great work!!

[@Hikingguy]

Oh man, yea, doing this in Sept with the heat is a whole other can of worms, good on you for finsihing, it's brutal. And glad the guides have been handy. && I'd say come back in Jan when it's cooler out and try it, it's a whole different experience.

[@victorflores6511]

Just did it today! Everything you said was exactly on point. Thank you very much for your videos, they really help me be more prepared and mentally ready!!

[@olirovira]

I really enjoy all your videos and website. Awesome job. Thank you for all your effort.

[@brianpowell5082]

Awesome video! I am digging the map portion at the end!

[@Hikingguy]

Good to know, will keep including those! 👍

[@leapheap6837]

Thank you for this demonstration. I’ve wanted to do this hike for a while but I know you have to be in really good shape to do this hike. I’ll be ready for this hike in November.

[@KP-rz3gk]

I appreciate these. I live in Alaska but travel to the southwest often. You’re inspiring me to take advantage of my winter getaways.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 and glad they're good to watch. I have a couple of buddies that live in Alaska, hoping to get up there again once things are back to normal. Beautiful country up there.

[@lizzytreks696]

I just completed this hike on Saturday 2/19/2022 wow no joke !!! I felt at one point I wasn’t gonna make it.

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea it's a tough one for sure, congrats on bagging it!

[@thelonelyphish]

11:30 you can still go to the south face, it's open for climbing and mountaineering, the golden eagle closure is yearly but doesn't go all year, they have info on the closures on the Cleveland National Forest website, usually the closure season is from December - June. The signs at the top are permanent but I'd imagine that is to dissuade inexperienced hikers from going that way much like the exaggerated relief maps up the trail. I'd definitely recommend the south ridge for advanced hikers looking for a more rugged alternative, it's a tough hike/scramble that really tests your route finding and 3rd and 4th class scrambling. The land at the bottom used to be private but I'm pretty sure it's now a part of the San Diego River Park because the lower trails near the gate for the El Capitan Reservoir are open to hiking and accessing the walls for rock climbing. When descending my climbing partner and I chose to descend some brush choked chutes off the trail to avoid the rock faces for safety and to avoid any possible eagle nests in the rock, so remember folks, be safe and respect the environment as you are merely a visitor, pack out more than you pack in, and have fun enjoying what our beautiful forests have to offer.

[@Hikingguy]

The SD parks service told me that it's officially always closed now - El Capitan Mitigation Preserve - sandiegoriver.org/el_capitan_mitigation.html - www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/parks/RMD/RMPs%20and%20Trails/El_Capitan_FINAL_RMP_with_Figures_June_2009.pdf

[@jorgemiguel1040]

complete this hike today. trail are spuper washed out from the rain. still passable just harder.

[@Hikingguy]

yea everything is pretty clobbered right now but glad to hear that it's still doable

[@cardiffchris]

Back in 1990, I hiked an approach from the east side of El Cajon Mountain by taking the truck trail south from Country Estates......Need to get back an explore it again. 17:23 17:51 right side of screen

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi. Enjoyed this fine video and the views and information it provided. I was stationed at Point Loma on a submarine in Jan-July, 1976 I recall seeing the mountains in the eastern distance as we came into port (my duties in/out of port was forward line handler, so I got to see alot). One peak in particular really stood out in the mountains beyond San Diego. Not sure if it was this. God Bless!

[@meton875]

That’s a tough hike for sure, very fun though! Those trial signs are kinda hilarious 😆

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, the sign's scale might be exaggerated a bit... lot's of newbies and unprepared folks here, it's probably a whole thing to deal with that situation

[@BeanAlex]

I keep finding out new hikes from your videos. I love it.

[@Hikingguy]

Glad to hear it! 👍

[@Devoted96]

I use this for training year round, great trail for training. I wouldn't say it's particular hard. It can be hiked in the 3 hour mark or ran in the low 2 to sub 2 hour mark. The FKT is about 1:37:00 roughly 8 minutes per mile. I recently added an entire section in to this trail, doing El Cajon Mountain, El Cap and the 5 Mission Trail Peaks on foot. It's 41 miles with about 8900 of gain. I'd say that is probably the hardest day hike in San Diego.

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

First time Watch er. Thank you

[@Heatt13]

Hey Cris as always thanks for the video! I’m planning on doing this hike on Saturday. What are your thoughts on bringing a dog on this hike? I have a blue heeler I’ve brought on mt. Pacifico and a handful of other 10+ mile hikes that you’ve put guides on. Thanks.

[@Hikingguy]

This one is def tougher than the hikes you listed because of all the up/down. I'd just say bring enough water, it can get brutally hot. If you can do the hike on a cooler day, it's a much better experience.

[@ruinanchang549]

Great video!

[@ryanmelius3075]

Thanks for your videos. You mentioned that you didn't necessarily agree that this is the hardest hike in San Diego. Which hike(s) do you think are more difficult?

[@Hikingguy]

Rabbit & Villager in a day

[@ryanmelius3075]

@@Hikingguy, yes I forget that's in San Diego county. You're right.

[@wolfeadventures]

Maybe not the hardest but some of the steep sections are laughably steep.

[@christinerolle3876]

Thanks again.

[@godizself1]

This hike is hard on the body. Even if you're fit. Even if you hike. Even if you're in the barbell culture. Even if you're a well-rounded athlete. There are boulders to climb. Scrambling to endure, narrow paths to manage your footing. There is no break. Either you're going up an incline or down an incline. Only do this hike with folk that hike. Only do this hike without time limitations. If you're in a space to challenge yourself involuntarily this is the hike to do. Your mental power and your will will be LESS challenged than physically. The only way to prepare for this hike is to actually do this hike more than once. Hiking poles help reduce the pressure on your body and you'll need it although there are parts of the hike where the poles become an obstacle. I started at 615 AM. I finished at 1200 PM. I wore hiking books, UV hoodie, UV gaiter, wool socks, and compression leggings with a pocket on the side. I was so focused on that journey (with struggle) I only drank 2L with trail mix and tangerines. No video or advice were preparing you for this experience. Whatever you do, be safe. Pets and children to stay home. Do not Do this hike in the sun. Periodt!

[@LC444]

Hey Cris did you see the benchmarks on El Cajon?

[@Hikingguy]

I think so but it's been a while since I've been up there

[@EricRussell-r1m]

How far in to the stop sign? What is total length of Trail in and out?

[@Hikingguy]

check link in description