San Diego Hiking Trails

I did it last Friday(Mar. 26). It took me exactly 5 hours in and out and I think that the uphills on my way back made me pretty tired. The weather is not a very hot, so it is a hard one for me but not so bad as I expected. Even on Friday, I met a total of ~10 people on the way. One guy is really amazing. I think that he jogged all the way to the peak.

This is the hardest hike in San Diego county. My wife did Mt. Whitney hike a few years ago, and she says she found the El Cajon hike harder. We are fifty-something, but in rather good shape. The complete hike took us 6 hours, including two sit-down rests and visits to both peaks at the end. There are some pretty steep fragments (I had to get down on my fours in one place), and the constant gaining and losing altitude is tiring. Our feet hurt a lot at the end of the hike, but we were happy that we made it. It is absolutely worth the effort! Take lots of water, unless you hike in cold weather. The parking lot gets closed at 5 p.m., so start early.

Went with my Dad on Friday, March 19, 2010. Beginning the hike was a bit confusing. Parked in the designated parking lot but no signs indicating which direction to start the hike. Eventually found our way (go up Blue Sky Ranch road to the top - same side of street as parking lot) where we started our climb up. Perfect time of year for this hike since colorful flowers were everywhere. Beautiful. Lots of up and down, both of which were fairly steep making the hike a good work out. Lots of interesting rocks on the trail. Quartz possibly, and many more specimens. Slippery going though. Loose gravel on the trail making it difficult to navigate. Glad we brought our trekking poles. Make sure you wear sunscreen and a hat since there is little shade on the trail. Expansive views once you start gaining elevation. Don't forget the camera. We had Camelbaks which made for easy hydration. Have to mention we crossed paths with a hiker who actually jogged up and then down the trail (the whole way!!- amazing). The trip took between 5 and 6 hours round trip with a 1/2 hour for lunch and relaxation.

It was ok.. I had a 40+ pound backpack with me and my girlfriend had a 20+ pound backpack because we were trying to make it harder but still it wasnt as bad as we thought it would be.. It took us a little less than 5 hours to completed the whole hike. It got us tired but not exhausted.

i've done this hike twice (once in summer) and it is the hardest one i've done in s d cnty. there's no place to rest or recover. coming back is every bit as tough as going in. take lots of water and don't wimp out at the saddle on the top-go to the peak to your left. that's why i had to do the hike twice, the first time (in summer) we made it to the saddle and said "good enuf!!' the first time up, i chanced upon a fellow who walked up from el monte park and if anyone has any info on that trail, i'd be very interested. CASH AND PRIZES-PEOPLE!

We wanted to go out for a hike on Sunday after reading the reviews for different trails we choose this one. Two of us left at 11am with 1 gallon of water, it was sunny and around 85. Right away we start walking up a step dirt trail. We get to the top of the first mountain, the hike looks like it is easy. The trail continues to wind around mountains over looking Barona casino. It gets stepper and about mile 3 I start wishing the trail will flatten out. No such luck, more weaving between mountains and small steep trails. Everyone else we ran into (about 10 people total) had walking sticks. I have never used them before but it looks like it would make the hike a lot easier. We get to the top of the mountain, we used almost all of our water and were beat. The view from the top made the pain worth it. You can see huge cliffs and mountain 360 degrees around. After we ate lunch at the top we started the trek back. Going down is almost as hard as getting up. The trail was dusty, slipper and difficult to navigate. The hike took us 7 hours and was the most difficult I've been on in San Diego.

I've always wanted to hike to the edge of this cliff face I always see and this spring my brother and I did it. Two words: Trekking poles. He convinced me to let him use one so we both had walking sticks up these never ending up and down pitches. I read it was steep and that was no lie. One of the more difficult hikes in the area, but only because a trailed hike shouldn't be that hard. Started at 7, saw a few people, and took a nap on the rocks at the end for lunch. Good day.

This trail is hard as hell. It was overcast when we went around mid day at the end of May. We saw one other hiker at the beginning of the trail and that was about it. We saw two pretty big snakes tho. One rattlesnake and the other one i'm not sure what it was. It was trying to eat a massive lizard on the trail itself. The snakes deterred my partner from going any further. Regardless, the trail was freakin hard- 45 and 50 degree angles a majority of the way. It does flatten out for a bit just after mile one.