El Cajon Mountain, Lakeside CA

• 5-star hike
• 11 to 12 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 3,580 to 3,720 feet
• Lakeside, CA | San Diego Region
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A rectangular, green sign indicating an elevation of 3675 feet. The sign has rounded corners and a weathered appearance, with patches of rust and peeling paint. Several stickers are attached to the sign, adding layers of texture and color. The text on the sign is white, bold, and slightly faded, and it reads: 'EL CAJON MTN. ELEV. 3675'. In the background, a panoramic view of a mountainous landscape is visible. The terrain consists of jagged rocky peaks and ridges, with varying elevations. The distant mountains are covered in shades of green, brown, and occasional patches of gray rock. The clear blue sky above has no visible clouds, indicating a sunny day. The foreground of the image includes rocky and uneven terrain, with stones and boulders scattered around. The rocks appear to be of varying sizes and shapes, contributing to the rugged nature of the summit. Bright sunlight illuminates the entire scene, casting distinct shadows and highlighting the textures of the rocks and sign.

Heavily stickered sign atop El Cajon Mt.

Some regard this as the toughest San Diego day hike, but seasoned hikers shouldn't feel deterred by the trail to the top of El Cajon Mountain. The wide, gravel-covered El Cajon Mountain Summit Trail offers no great challenges as it steadily climbs 2,840 feet over five and a half miles. Some bare rock on moderate inclines might make you grateful for shoes with good traction, though we still managed this hike with low-grip trail runners without a problem.

Avoiding the heat of the day with an early start is especially beneficial on this trail, which traces a route up western flanks that are frequently cast in shade. Its also a great time to enjoy the dramatic light and shadow that plays upon the ridgelines and valleys of this landscape.

The El Cajon Mountain Summit Trail begins with a gentle incline up a wide dirt road to a brief stretch of concrete that ends at a fruit stand. Supplement your provisions if you wish before continuing uphill past the vault toilets and onto some switchbacks on a narrow trail through scrub and manzanita bushes. Enjoy a flat section of trail before the next climb begins, some two miles into the route.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ El Cajon Mountain Trail 11.0 mi out & back, moderate, gain 3,580 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 5★ El Cajon, Mine & El Capitan 11.6 mi out & back, moderate, gain 3,720 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

At 3.1 miles and around 800 feet of elevation gain you'll reach a stop sign that, for once, is meant for hikers rather than road users. Here you're informed that you're at the halfway point in the trail and that you shouldn't proceed further if you arrive here after noon. From this point you have 7.9 miles to go with 2,800 feet of climb, plus an additional half a mile if you plan on exploring the two spur trails as well. We recommend proceeding only if you're confident you can return to the trailhead before the gates close and lock you in.

Views of the surrounding landscape, particularly to the south and west improve, dramatically as you gain more elevation, though they are sometimes obscured by the massiveness of mountains as you weave first to the right of Silverdome then close to the summit of Silverdome II. Though the official trail passes by these mountains, if you want to add even more challenge to your hike by summiting these peaks, check out users' routes at Peakbagger.com following the links at the bottom of this article.

The image captures a scenic landscape during sunrise in a mountainous area. The sun is low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the hills and valleys. The foreground features dry grasses and bushes, while the background showcases rugged mountains under a clear blue sky. The serene atmosphere of the rising sun enhances the natural beauty of the terrain.

Catch the sunrise on a shaded morning El Cajon hike.

We highly recommend at least visiting the old mine workings below the summit of Silverdome II, located on a short spur trail marked with a signpost. Three deep holes have been tunneled into the rock face from where a white clay called kaolin was once mined. To our surprise when exploring these man-made caves, we found a tiny frog staring back at us at the end of one tunnel. It hopped off before we had the opportunity to give it a kiss and make a wish.

El Cajon Mountain becomes increasingly rocky on the final push to the summit. Expect to bounce from boulder to boulder at times, and tackle a couple of minor rock scrambles to reach the top. At the summit the views are panoramic, with nothing to interfere with your sight lines. The neighboring peak of El Capitan is worth a quick side trip if you're into peak bagging or simply looking for bragging rights. Otherwise, just head back down to the trailhead.

A hiker with a red backpack is walking along a dirt trail in a mountainous area. The trail is surrounded by dry grass and shrubs, and the landscape features rolling hills covered in green vegetation. In the distance, there are more hills and mountains, with a clear blue sky overhead.

Hiker on the return journey.

Save some energy for your return to the trailhead as the route - known as "the only hike which is uphill in both directions" - demands still more stamina. In addition to some careful descents where shoes with good traction are helpful, you'll want to be prepared for a further 800 feet of climbing on this undulating trail as you head back down.

Trailhead parking lot hours are limited by gates that are opened at 8am and locked again at sunset. Our 'official' link at the bottom of the page will allow you to confirm the current opening hours.

Another, unofficial parking option may be available if you're planning on arriving before the gates open or once the parking lot is full. We were able to park off-pavement, next to the parking lot and alongside the main Wildcat Canyon Road. There were no signs explicitly allowing or prohibiting parking in this unofficial location, so park at your own risk - but at least your vehicle won't be locked in if you're late returning to the trailhead.

The image depicts a stunning panoramic view from a mountain peak. You can see a vast landscape of rolling hills and valleys, with rocky terrain and scattered vegetation in the foreground. There's a body of water, likely a reservoir or lake, in the midground, and a sprawling urban area extending towards the horizon in the background. The ocean is also visible in the far distance.

Views from El Cajon Mt on a crystal clear San Diego morning.

The image shows a scenic view from a high vantage point. In the foreground, there is a weathered metal pole adorned with various stickers and labels, indicative of a popular spot frequented by hikers and travelers. The pole is mounted on a rocky outcrop. To the left of the pole, there is a small, rusted metal structure enclosed within a fenced area, possibly an old lookout or communication point. The background features a vast, green mountainous landscape with prominent rocky outcrops and dense vegetation. The terrain is uneven with several peaks and valleys, suggesting a rugged and untouched natural environment. The sky is clear and blue, providing a sharp contrast to the lush greenery of the mountains.

El Cajon Mountain from El Capitan.

The image depicts a person wearing a blue shirt, stepping into one of three visible cave entrances on a rocky hillside. The rocky hillside is rugged and light brown in color, with patches of vegetation growing on the top and sides. The person is facing away from the camera and is positioned at the entrance of the right-hand cave, giving a sense of scale to the scene. The overall setting is outdoors, under a clear blue sky with ample sunlight illuminating the area. The rocky texture of the hillside is detailed, with various cracks and crevices visible, emphasizing the natural formation of the caves. The surrounding environment includes sparse vegetation, primarily low-lying shrubs and grasses, adding a touch of greenery to the otherwise rocky landscape. If you entered the right cave like me, you'll find a tiny frog hanging out at the end. He didn't wait around long enough for me to kiss him however.

You arrive at a mine with three cave entrances. What do you do?

The image shows a fruit stand with a wooden sign written in chalk. Below the sign, there is a blackboard with text.
The fruit stand has several crates containing different types of fruits, each neatly organized and labeled. The crates include Navel Oranges (2 for $1), Oro Blanco Grapefruit ($1 each) and Ripe Persian Limes (5 for $1).

A welcome self-serve fruit stand beyond the trailhead.

⚠ Heat Safety Tips: Shade is extremely limited on this trail. Please stay safe in hot weather by knowing the forecast and planning to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Recognize danger signs and turn back when necessary. Wear lightweight non-cotton clothing and head coverings. Use sunblock and UV chapstick. Bring more water than you think you need, coupled with salt & electrolite tablets.

Tangents:
• Official: San Diego Parks
• AllTrails Public: El Cajon Mountain Trail
• Peakbagger: Silverdome, Silverdome II
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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