Arguably the hardest hike in San Diego. The weather was cool and overcast for almost the entire hike up to the summit. A very welcome change to what I was expecting. It did warm up a bit on the descent, however. The views from the top are magnificent!

This was also the day of the Warrior Hike, sponsored by the San Diego County Parks Dept., so there were plenty of folks on the mountain. They also had stations along the way with water and snacks. Pretty crowded at the summit but was nice to meet some people and trade stories. If you are so inclined, there is a cutoff to the El Capitan Peak near the top, so you can tackle two summits in one go.

For those who tell you it's uphill both ways, they aren't kidding. There are some pretty intense inclines and declines in both directions. It's almost essential to start early to get most of the hike out of the way before the day warms up. Also, bring LOTS of water. If you think you have enough, add another liter to your supply. This is a hike to be taken very seriously a there have been many hikers who had to be rescued, and even some, sadly, who have passed away on this mountain.