El Cajon Mountain, commonly known as El Capitan or El cap, is a mountain in the
Cuyamaca Mountains
The Cuyamaca Mountains ( Kumeyaay: ''‘Ekwiiyemak''), locally the Cuyamacas, are a mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, in San Diego County, southern California. The mountain range runs roughly northwest to southeast. The Laguna Mount ...
, and prominent natural landmark in the
East County of
San Diego.
Geography
The summit of El Cajon Mountain is at .
The mountain is almost completely surrounded by private property and an
Indian reservation
An Indian reservation is an area of land held and governed by a federally recognized Native American tribal nation whose government is accountable to the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs and not to the state government in which it ...
,
but the mountain itself is mostly within the
Cleveland National Forest 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, 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
References
Mountains of San Diego County, California
Cuyamaca Mountains
Cleveland National Forest
Mountains of Southern California
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