El Cajon Mountain Trail Guide - HikingGuy.com (2024)

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.

Where is El Cajon Mountain Trail?

The El Cajon Mountain Trail is located in El Capitan County Preserve, in the eastern park of San Diego. To get to the start of the hike, use this address:
13775 Blue Sky Ranch Road, Lakeside, CA 92040

From the parking area, you walk 0.5 miles to the "trail trail." At that point, you'll find bathrooms. I'll show you the way in the directions below.

Is El Cajon Hike the Hardest Hike in San Diego?

If you've been researching this hike, you have probably read about how tough it is. For most casual or average hikers, the El Cajon Mountain Trail will be very challenging. Here's why:

• The climbs are very steep mining roads with gradients up to 36%, which is about the same as house stairs.
• The slopes are rocky and loose. You have to watch your footing.
• The route has ups and downs along the way. You have to do some climbing on the way back.
• The trail is mostly exposed and gets very hot. It gets so hot that the Preserve is closed in August.
• The steep and rocky descents are slow going and require concentration. Expect to go down at roughly the same pace as you climb.

Scared? Well, you shouldn't be. If you're in good shape and used to hiking this distance, you'll be able to do this hike. Otherwise I'd do some build-up hikes first.

So is it the hardest hike? No, generally the hike to Rabbit Peak via Villager Peak in San Diego County is considered the toughest day hike. It's 24 miles with about 8000 feet of climbing. About double what you'll tackle on El Cajon Mountain.

Gear For the Hike

This is a proper hike and I recommend wearing proper hiking gear.

• Good footwear is important on this hike. The ground is loose and rocky.
• Trekking poles will help a ton on both the climbs and descents.
• You're going to want sun protection.
• Bring 3L of water on this hike.

El Cajon Mountain Trail Maps

Overall the trails are well marked and easy to navigate. There are a couple of unmarked parts that might be confusing, but I'll cover those in the directions below.

Elevation Profile

Landmarks on the Hike

3D Map

Hike Brief

• The mountain is named El Cajon because it roughly translates to the Spanish word for "box," as this peak is boxed in by the peaks surrounding it.
• El Cajon Mountain is also known as El Cap or ECM. There is technically a smaller peak by the summit called El Capitan, so the two peaks are not the same. From this hike it's hard to see why it's called El Cap, but if you look at it from the south (I-8 has good views), you can see the semblance to Yosemite's El Capitan.
• The south-facing cliff of El Cajon Mountain is a popular nesting spot for Golden Eagles. Keep your eyes open for them as you hike. They're easily mistaken for turkey vultures, which are smaller.

El Cajon Mountain Trail Hike Directions

You can make a side trip to the right to reach El Capitan Summit. It's about 0.2 miles. The option to go straight ahead will bring you to the top of the sheer cliff face. It was once open to hikers, but is now private property and closed to protect the golden eagle nesting areas.