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Hike in San Diego County, California

El Capitan Open Space Preserve, Lakeside
Saturday, October 25, 2008

photograph

We'll be hiking from Wildcat Canyon Road toward El Cajon Mountain, which is also known as El Capitan. We can't go all the way (at least not on a biginners' hike). We'll stop for lunch about noon and then turn around. The trail is very hilly and unshaded, but there are some good views along the way.

A previous attempt to do this hike was foiled when the Cedar Fire roared through the area in 2003. The chaparral has recovered, and there have been some trail improvements.

Dogs are not prohibited in the Preserve, but this hike is not really suitable for dogs.

We will meet in the parking lot on the east side of Wildcat Canyon Road at Blue Sky Ranch Road (Thomas 1212 E3). Mapquest link.

SUGGESTED ROUTE FROM SAN DIEGO: Take Interstate 8 east and Highway 67 north. Turn right (east) on Willow Road and then left (north) on Wildcat Canyon Road. Go about 4 miles, turn right on Blue Sky Ranch Road. (This is essentially the route to Barona Casino, but if you reach the casino, you've gone too far.)

Directions to Meeting Place

This hike has been cross-posted to the Outdoors Club Web site.

The nominal starting time is 10:00 AM. I will be at the parking area by 9:30, and at 10:15 we will hit the trail.

After the hike, there will be an optional gathering at a local ice cream parlor, probably in Santee or El Cajon.

Call 858-675-8706 for the latest weather information or check your favorite weather page on the Internet. (I like www.accuweather.com.) Wear good hiking shoes and suitable clothing and take lunch, water and sun protection. Take a camera if you wish. Call or send E-mail if you have questions.

RAIN? Heavy rain will cancel the hike. If there is only a little rain, we may still hike. In doubtful cases, I will wait at the trailhead. You must decide whether the weather is tolerable and take appropriate protective clothing. If anyone else shows up, we will hike.

CONTACT:

Cell phone service is available at the trailhead, but may be spotty along the trail.

The following emergency telephone numbers are posted on the trail:

Note: We haven't had serious injuries on our hikes, but the insanity of current liability decisions prompts the following: These hikes are not officially sponsored by any group or individual. No one assumes liability for anyone else. So don't tease the rattlesnakes and don't pet the mountain lions!

SUGGESTION: Check this page a few days before the hike for any last-minute instructions.

-- Philip J. Erdelsky

The September Hike - Airplane Monument Loop

A review will be posted shortly after the hike.

-- Philip J. Erdelsky

Photographs from previous hikes.

List of previous hikes.

Rehydration drink.

Topographic maps from previous hikes, when available, will be archived on the Maps page.

Scanned topographic maps for San Diego, Orange, Imperial and Riverside Counties are available on CD-ROM by request, or by visiting www.efghmaps.com. These are public domain images in GIF format with no restrictions on use. E-mail the Webmaster for details.

Aerial photographs, which are sometimes helpful to hikers, can be downloaded from TerraServer 6.0.

A great deal of information about the Fallbrook area, including a list of hikes in the area, is available on Tom Chester's Web site at www.tchester.org.

Notes

  1. These hikes have been held monthly (with a very few cancellations due to weather or other reasons) since January 10, 1987. I have been leading the hikes since March 1993.
  2. Each hike is usually held on the last Saturday of the month. However, the hike is occasionally moved to another Saturday to avoid conflicts.
  3. Although each hike is listed in the monthly newsletter of the San Diego Libertarian Party, it is not a Libertarian Party event. Independents and members of other political parties are welcome.
  4. These hikes are recreational, not athletic.
  5. We hike only on established trails, mostly in parks, national forests, and nature preserves.
  6. Minors may participate only with the permission of a parent or legal guardian. Most of the hikes are not suitable for small children.
  7. No reservation or prior notice is required. If you want to hike, just show up at the trailhead on time.

-- Philip J. Erdelsky