El Cajon Mountain, commonly known as El Capitan or El cap, is a mountain in the
Cuyamaca Mountains, and prominent natural landmark in the
East County of
San Diego
San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United State ...
.
Geography
The summit of El Cajon Mountain is at .
The mountain is almost completely surrounded by private property and an
Indian reservation,
but the mountain itself is mostly within the
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres (), mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the forest. It is the southernmost U.S. National Forest of California. It is administered by ...
or the County of San Diego's El Capitan Open Space Preserve.
Recreation
There are two main routes to climb El Cajon Mountain, the main
class 1 trail hike from
Lakeside, California
Lakeside is a census designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California. The population was 20,648 at the 2010 census, up from 19,560 as of the 2000 census.
History
Lakeside was home to the Kumeyaay prior to European contact, who cal ...
, and several class 3 climbs up the south face,
which is now private property and closed to public access. The main trail hike is considered one of the hardest hikes in San Diego County because of its steep climbs and rolling terrain.
Gallery
El Cajon Mountain Wall.jpg, El Cajon Mountain Wall
El Cajon Mnt, Lunch Rock.jpg, ''Lunch Rock'' on the middle of the south arete
Sign_At_Closed_Area_of_El_Cajon_Mountain_Summit_Junction.jpg, Sign at beginning of the class 3 trail
See also
*
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres (), mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the forest. It is the southernmost U.S. National Forest of California. It is administered by ...
References
Mountains of San Diego County, California
Cuyamaca Mountains
Cleveland National Forest
Mountains of Southern California
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